CCT Adjourns Saraki's Trial
- Jumai
- Mar 24, 2016
- 2 min read
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Thursday, March 24, adjourned the trial of Bukola Saraki, the Senate President till Tuesday, April 5.
Danladi Umar, the presiding judge said there is no rule that said that an individual cannot be charged years after committing an offence.
He therefore struck out the motion to discharge the charges against the Senate President.
“It is not out of place to charge the accused person after thirteen years. After all this consideration, the constitution thereby struck out the motion to dismiss the charges,” he said.
Rotimi Jacobs, the counsel to federal government, however argued that he was ready for the ruling and trial.
He added that the submission is uncalled for because the ruling stated that if they proceed, the trial is ready.
However, Kanu Agabi, counsel to Saraki on the other hand commended the judge on his ruling throughout the case. He also said that if the case had been adjourned for ruling and consideration, it only meant that the tribunal had made a conclusion.
“We are as anxious as the prosecution is to proceed in this case. People are being convicted on the streets and don’t have a forum to defend themselves,” he added. After consideration, Umar stated that it has to be adjourned till after the Easter.
He said there are other cases to be attended to, so the case does not have to be rushed into. He added that it will lead to injustice if the case is rushed into.
However, some senators came to pledge their solidarity to the Senate president. Some of these senators are Dino melaye representing Kogi west senatorial district, Rafiu Ibrahim representing Kwara south senatorial district and Danjuma Goje, the chairman committee on appropriation and Sam Anyawu, the Senate committee chairman on ethics and privileges.
Also in attendance was Abdulaziz Nyako representing Adamawa central senatorial district, Gershom Bassey representing Cross river south senatorial district, Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti south senatorial district, Phillip Aduda representing the Federal Capital Territory among others.
