The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja yesterday formally assumed jurisdiction over the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki over alleged false assets declaration.

Justice Moore Adumein granted speedy hearing after listening to arguments of counsel to Saraki, Malam Mahmoud Abubakar Magaji (SAN) on the need for the matter to be expeditiously determined because of the utmost urgency involved.

With this decision, the proceedings before the Code of Conduct Tribunal have automatically stopped pending the outcome of the appeal.

Following his arraignment before the Tribunal last month, Saraki had approached the Court of Appeal, Abuja for a stay of proceedings.

The appellate court in a decision yesterday granted accelerated hearing into the suit in which Saraki is asking the court to stop his continued trial at the Tribunal pending the determination of his case.

The accelerated hearing was ordered yesterday as Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Lawyer to the Federal Government did not oppose the motion filed by Saraki's Lawyers. While making the order, the three-man panel of Justices headed by Justice Adumein directed the Federal Government to file its brief before October 16, when the appeal would be ripe for hearing.