Saraki/Tribunal: Code of Conduct Tribunal Adjourns To October 21

After long hours in the court room, the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja has adjourned the false assets declaration case of Senate President, Bukola Saraki to October 21, 2015 for further hearing. This was as pro-Saraki’s protest erupted outside the Tribunal premises after the adjournment.

Before now DAILY POST had reported that there was an argument at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, over where Saraki was to stay in taking his plea on the 13-count charge preferred against him which border on false assets declaration.

While the prosecution team led by Rotimi Jacobs insisted that the rule of law must prevail, by Saraki taking his plea from the dock, the Senate President’s counsel, Joseph Daudu countered that the administration of the criminal justice system does not apply at the tribunal, hence Saraki should take his plea from wherever he is already seated at the tribunal.

Eventually, the prosecution prevailed with Saraki taking a seat at the dock.

Meanwhile, Saraki pleaded not guilty to all 13-count charge read to him by Rotimi Jacobs

While responding personally to all the charges, he pointed to the court that section 3, of Code of Conduct gives opportunity for him to be invited personally by the Code of Conduct Bureau to explain the circumstances with which complaints were raised against him.

He further submitted that the provisions were not exhausted, while stressing that this was the first time such a thing was happening to a man of his standing.

In his response, Rotimi Jacobs averred that section 3 of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in question was an act that has no supervening force on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended with which Saraki swore to uphold when those Crimes were committed by him.

At this point ,Saraki sought for adjournment through his counsel. He said: My Lord, this is now the time for all of us to go home so that we can come back at another day (laughter).

Daily Post