Date: 2016-04-04

The trial of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, will be conducted on a-day-to-day basis as from tomorrow, the chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Yakubu Umar, has ordered.

Saraki, a two-term former governor of Kwara State, is facing trial over alleged falsification of assets before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

It was alleged that Saraki illegally acquired many properties while in office but failed to declare them in the CCB's forms earlier filed and submitted to the relevant authorities.

It was also alleged that Saraki made anticipatory declaration of assets upon his assumption of office as governor. It was further alleged that Saraki sent money abroad for the purchase of properties in London and maintained accounts outside Nigeria while serving as governor between 2003 and May 2011.

Based on these alleged violations of the Code of Conduct for public officers, the CCB initiated a criminal proceeding against Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal ( CCT ). However, Saraki has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Meanwhile, the Senate President has demanded that Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja should be allowed to deliver judgment on his fundamental rights enforcement suit. The judge had recently withheld his judgment in the case and announced his withdrawal on the ground that reports by some on-line media alleged that he had been bribed by the Senate President.

Saraki, in a protest letter dated March 22, 2016 by his lawyer, Prince Ajibola Oluyede, to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, noted that although he sympathised with the judge, the interest of justice would only be served if the judgment was delivered.