CCT begins trial of Saraki. FG Counsel Wants Him Arrested
The Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja began proceedings this morning in the case filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation against Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Saraki is absent in person, but he is represented by his legal counsel, Mahmud Magaji.
The prosecuting counsel, MS Hassan, prayed the court to issue a bench warrant against Saraki for failing to appear before the court after being summoned.
?He specifically requested that Saraki should be arrested within two hours and brought to court.
Last night, Saraki got a court order summoning officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Chairman of the CCB and Chairman of the Code of Conduct tribunal, CCT, to appear before the high court on September 21 to show cause why Saraki should be prosecuted over the alleged offence. The order was granted in chambers by Justice Ahmed Mohammed
Equally summoned to appear before the court was the deputy director in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. M.S. Hassan, who signed the charge against Saraki.
The court made the orders after it heard an ex-parte application that was filed and moved by Saraki through his lawyer Mr. Mahmud Magaji, SAN.
The Code of Conduct Bureau has filed a 13-count charge against Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, alleging
that Saraki made false declaration of his assets.
The Deputy Director in the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, M.S.Hassan, filed the charges against Saraki on September 11.
Saraki’s point of contention is that the case could not go on, without a substantive Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in place.
When the tribunal opened today, the prosecuting officer said the power to file a criminal charge does not reside in the attorney-general alone. “Any officer in the Attorney-General’s office is eminently qualified to do so in any court of law. I am competent to do so”, he said.
The prosecutor also said an objection to the trial can only be done after an accused has taken a plea.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, was not in court, but his lawyers sought to restrain the tribunal from sitting.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Erin-ile Abdulkadir Jimoh Patience Jonathan International Vocational Centre Yusuf Arowosaye Dan Masanin Lola Ashiru Yinka Aluko Kamoru Kadiri AGM Professional Services Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa Yusuf Olaolu Ali Pakata Development Association Toun Okewale-Sonaiya Ayo Adeyemi Ajike People Support Centre Bisi Kristien UNILORIN Alumni Association Adebara Adamu Jemilat-Baki Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon JAAC Moremi High School Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund Abubakar Kawu Baraje Nigeria Computer Society Muhammad Akande Olarewaju Odunade James Ayeni Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore Ladi Hassan Ayo Salami Adedeji Onimago Okasanmi Ajayi Katibi Ibraheem Adeola Zulkifli Ibraheem SAPZ Project Garba Idris Ajia Modibo Kawu Sherif Sagaya Mutawali Of Ilorin The Herald Bayo Ajia Umaru Saro Rebecca Bake Kayode Issa Nigerian Medical Association Olaoye B. Felix Abdulahi Abubakar Bata Yusuf Aiyedun Femi Gbajabiamila Kumbi Titilope Oke-Ogun KwaraLearn Saka Isau Laolu Saraki Oloriegbe Isiaka AbdulRazaq Kayode Ibrahim Idris Garuba Ajuloopin 08001000100 Baba Issa Elerin Of Adanla Irese Kola Shittu Kwara 2015 Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory Ishola Abdullahi Forgo Battery Company Limited BECE Matthew Okedare Lateef Fagbemi Abiodun Oyedepo Raliat Islamic Foundation Halimat Yusuf Muideen Olaniyi Alalade Alabere Garment Factory