BREAKING: CCT strikes out Saraki’s motion, adjourns trial
– Senate President Bukola Saraki’s trial has been adjourned to April 5
– Justice Danlami Umar struck out an application by Saraki’s counsel challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal
– Some senators were at the tribunal to pledge their solidarity with the Senate president
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.
Danladi noted that the CCT is a special court; a creation of the constitution itself exclusively to try matters of corruption in public office, and so the motion has been quashed and struck out.
He therefore ordered that trial of Saraki should continue as charged.
Rotimi Jacobs, the counsel to the federal government said that he was ready for the ruling and trial.
READ ALSO: Saraki, Dogara hire 282 aides
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 rulings 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 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. These included Dino Melaye representing Kogi west senatorial district, Rafiu Ibrahim representing Kwara south senatorial district and Danjuma Goje, the chairman of the 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.
READ ALSO: CCT trial: Dismiss Saraki’s case, Lawyers urge Justice Umar
On Friday, March 11, Saraki’s ongoing trial was adjourned till Friday, March 18, after which the case was adjourned till Thursday, March 24.
Saraki has been charged with 13 counts of false declarations of assets while he was the governor of Kwara state.
His case has been ongoing since September 22, 2015.
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