CCT adjourns Saraki's trial to March 18

The trial of the Senate president Bukola Saraki has been postponed as his lawyers submitted an application to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try him for failing to declare his assets. Justice Umar adjourned the case to Friday, March 18, for moving of the motion and possible hearing of the substantive matter. The Senate president has been charged with 13 counts of false declarations when he was the governor of Kwara state. He was represented by 66 lawyers, among whom are seven senior advocates of Nigeria (SAN). Kanu Agabi, the lead lawyer to Saraki, told the court that there was a motion that must be ruled on before the commencement of trial. “The supreme court dismissed the appeal and said that we harrased the tribunal. The senior consel is well aware that i have a prosecutor in this case. The letter for adjournment is here. The apex court on Friday, February 5, dismissed the appeal to stop his trial paving the way for the continuation of the case at the CCT. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), counsel to the federal government at the hearing told Danladi Umar, the judge, that he was ready to present his witnesses. “This deliberate attempt to scuttle this trial so that this matter will not go on. “Today’s business is trial. That’s my submission, “said Jacobs. But Agabi apologised to Jacobs for not serving him the motion personally, and asked for the indulgence of the court because he was new to the case. It was after this that Danladi Umar asked Agabi to prepare since he was new to the case which led to its adjournment. Some senators on Friday, March 11, pledged solidarity to Saraki by following him to the Code of Connduct Tribunal. Some of the senators who were present at the tribunal are Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy senate President, Sam Anyawu representing Imo east senatorial district, Hope Uzodinma representing Imo state, Dino Melaye representing Kogi west senatorial district.