The trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is set to commence officially before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja after the Chairman of the CCT; Justice Danlami Umar struck out an application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal.
Saraki had through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi had filed a motion seeking to quash corruption charges relating to false declaration of assets preferred against him. Mr. Agabi in challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal repackaged some of the issues the Supreme Court had already decided upon.
The motion which was strongly opposed by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs was described as unfounded, frivolous, absurd and a clear case of abuse of court process, Mr. Jacobs, therefore, asked the court to dismiss the motion.
While throwing out the application in his ruling the Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar said that the case is within the purview of the tribunal to hear and, therefore, declared that the tribunal was ready to go on with the trial.
Saraki was accompanied to the tribunal today by 80 lawyers with 10 Senior Advocate of Nigeria defending him at the trial.
The tribunal judge stated in his ruling that the case will be heard on its merit starting from April 5th 2016.
*Credit: SaharaReporters
