Saraki defends himself as lawyers walk out on tribunal

Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki resolved to defending himself without lawyers after his legal team walks out over verdict on stay of proceedings.

Earlier the Federal Government had told the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja that it is ready to open its case against Saraki after the trial of the Senate President resumed today at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Accompanying the Senate President to CCT is a horde of Senators numbering up to fifty in solidarity.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) then ruled that Senate President Bukola Saraki’s trial must continue despite his appeal at the supreme court.

Saraki asked for one month to engage new lawyers. Tribunal gave one week but CCT ruled that the trial should continue. Saraki then resolved to defending himself without lawyers after his legal team walks out over verdict on stay of proceedings.

Government lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, notified the tribunal that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had in a judgment it delivered on October 30, dismissed Saraki’s appeal against his trial.

“My Lords all the contention as to the jurisdiction of the tribunal has been settled. The Appeal Court held that the charge was proper and the tribunal properly constituted to sit with two members.

“We have the the Certified True Copy of that judgment. This matter was adjourned for report and for continuation of trial, we are ready”, Rotimi submitted.

However, Saraki, through his lawyer, Mr. Mahmud Magaji , SAN, urged the tribunal to adjourn the trial and await the decision of the appeal he has lodged before the Supreme C‎ourt.

‎Magaji told the tribunal that his client also filed an application for the stay of further proceeding on the matter pending the determination of the appeal at the apex court.

He said that the CCT was notified of the pendency of the appeal before the Supreme Court via a letter ‎that was addressed to its chairman on November 4.

“In essence, we are saying that we have a valid appeal before your lordships at the Supreme Court”, saying for the tribunal to proceed with hearing on the matter would amount to an affront and disrespect to the judicial hierarchy.

The tribunal is still entertaining arguments from the two parties.

update

Matter Adjourned till November 19

Full details of the drama soon….