Culled from SaharaReporters
According
to media reports, there is an ongoing plot by the Court of Appeal to
cancel the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the
Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The justices of the Court of Appeal in Abuja have concluded plans
to order a stop to the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki by the
Code of Conduct Tribunal, two judicial sources say
One of the sources disclosed that the appellate court justices
would deliver a judgment today afternoon ordering immediate
discontinuation of Mr. Saraki’s trial for corruption.
Sources stated that a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Alfa Belgore, had been working behind the scenes to arrange a verdict by the Court of Appeal to the effect that Mr. Saraki’s trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja was irregular and a violation of the senator’s fundamental rights, and must cease.
Last Friday, Justices M.A.A. Adumien, J.E. Ekanem and M. Mustapha adjourned ruling in the matter till today. Mr. Saraki’s lawyers had asked the justices to determine that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to try former Governor Saraki for failure to declare his assets as provided for by the Code of Conduct law for public officers.
Mr. Saraki was arraigned on September 22, 2015 after he tried unsuccessfully to use the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal to thwart his arraignment. Sources stated that retired Justice Belgore has had success as the embattled senator’s emissary in persuading the Appeal Court to scuttle the trial.
“The haste with which the Court of Appeal justices have handled Dr. Saraki’s case is surprising since the Code of Conduct Tribunal has not even begun his trial,” said a lawyer familiar with the drama surrounding the widely watched case.
Mr. Saraki is scheduled to return to the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday to face federal prosecutors who maintain that they have overwhelming evidence against him.
Sources stated that a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Alfa Belgore, had been working behind the scenes to arrange a verdict by the Court of Appeal to the effect that Mr. Saraki’s trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja was irregular and a violation of the senator’s fundamental rights, and must cease.
Last Friday, Justices M.A.A. Adumien, J.E. Ekanem and M. Mustapha adjourned ruling in the matter till today. Mr. Saraki’s lawyers had asked the justices to determine that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to try former Governor Saraki for failure to declare his assets as provided for by the Code of Conduct law for public officers.
Mr. Saraki was arraigned on September 22, 2015 after he tried unsuccessfully to use the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal to thwart his arraignment. Sources stated that retired Justice Belgore has had success as the embattled senator’s emissary in persuading the Appeal Court to scuttle the trial.
“The haste with which the Court of Appeal justices have handled Dr. Saraki’s case is surprising since the Code of Conduct Tribunal has not even begun his trial,” said a lawyer familiar with the drama surrounding the widely watched case.
Mr. Saraki is scheduled to return to the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday to face federal prosecutors who maintain that they have overwhelming evidence against him.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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