Saraki’s Trial At CCT Adjourned Till June 21

Bukola Saraki

Senate President

The trial of the Nigeria’s Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false assets declaration has once again been adjourned till Tuesday, June 21 for hearing of a motion filed by Saraki’s counsel.

Counsel to the Senate President is seeking the withdrawal of the Tribunal Chairman from the case.
Before hearing began on Wednesday, Mr Kanu Agabi, lead counsel to Dr. Saraki, informed the Tribunal that it had a motion before the Tribunal which had not been opposed or objected to and should be treated.
On his part, however, the prosecutor told the Tribunal that even though they had been served with the process and additional process, the business of the day was further cross-examination of the chief prosecution’s witness and not deliberation on the motion.
The prosecutor insisted that the lead counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, had asked that the cross-examination should continue.
Mr Jacobs added that they would be opposing the motion, but when asked if he had filed his objections the prosecuting counsel replied in the negative.
He told the court that he had just been served by the defence.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr Danladi Umar, after listening to both men told the defence that it was not the first time it was asking him to withdraw from the case.
He said he would hear the motion on Tuesday and proceeded with the case.
But the lead counsel to Dr. Saraki pointed it out to the Chairman of the Tribunal that his statement had prejudiced the motion.
“Saying that you will proceed with the case after hearing the motion showed you have made a decision already,” he said.
Responding to the claim of prejudice, Mr Umar pointed out that he had been interpreted out of contest, insisting that saying he would go on with the case on a later date did not suggest he would rule in their favour or not.
At this point, the prosecutor insisted that the business of the day was for cross-examination of the witness, which he claimed was backed by law.
After listening to both parties, the Chairman of the Tribunal adjourned till June 21 to hear the motion seeking his disqualification from the trial of the Senate President.