False Asset Declaration: Saraki’s Trial At CCT Adjourned Indefinitely
THE False Assets declaration trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki has been adjourned indefinitely.
This was the ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Thursdays, March 8, as a result of a letter from the Saraki dated January 19, 2018, seeking a stay in the criminal proceedings due to two appeals pending before the Supreme Court.
The defendant is being tried on three of the 18-count charge of false assets declaration filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Danladi Umar, CCT chairman, at the resumed hearing, today, said going by sections 305 and 306 of the administration of criminal justice act, an appeal does not mean stay in proceedings “but in view of the fact that there are some issues in the appeal before the supreme court which are involved in this case, we think it is germane to consider the integrity of the apex court.”
Though the stay of proceedings was kicked against by the prosecuting counsel to the federal government, Rotimi Jacobs, Saraki’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, urged the court to adjourn.
The tribunal subsequently suspended the case indefinitely pending the decision of the supreme court