CCT Adjourns Saraki’s Trial Indefinitely

CCT Adjourns Saraki’s Trial Indefinitely

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has been left off the hook for the time being after the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) announced that his trial has been adjourned indefinitely.

Saraki is being tried on three of the 18 counts charge of false assets declaration filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In a bench ruling Thursday, chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar said that it is instructive to await the decision of the Supreme Court on the appeals filed by both Saraki and the federal government on the judgement of the Court of Appeal.

He said going by sections 305 and 306 of the administration of criminal justice act, an appeal does not mean stay in proceedings “but in view of the fact that there are some issues in the appeal before the Supreme Court which are involved in this case, we think it is germane to consider the integrity of the apex court.”

Saraki’s long-running battle at the CCT saw a major twist Last year when the court of appeal restored three out of the 18 counts of false assets declaration against him which were earlier dismissed by the CCT.

The embattled Senate president subsequently filed a seven-ground notice of appeal before the Supreme Court, seeking to upturn the decision.

The federal government had also filed a cross-appeal before the apex court against the part of the judgment which affirmed the dismissal of the other 15 counts.

At the resumed hearing Thursday, Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) urged the tribunal to proceed since the defence had already opened and closed their case and the tribunal had adjourned for adoption of final addresses.

However, Saraki’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) urged the Tribunal to be mindful of the position of the Apex court and prayed for an indefinite adjournment.