The Supreme Court has directed the Code of Conduct Tribunal to suspend proceedings in the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki until the court gives its decision in the appeal filed by Saraki.
The Senate leader has a pending 13-count criminal charge at the CCT, but the apex court this morning, Thursday, November 12 has stayed further hearing on the case.
A five-man panel, led by Justice John Fabiyi, gave the directive following an undertaking by respondents’ lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), to the effect that since the court has granted accelerated hearing in the appeal, he will prevail on the CCT not to proceed with trial until the apex court rule on Saraki’s appeal.
“The appellant’s brief of argument was filed yesterday (November 11, 2015). The respondents’ brief of argument shall be filed within seven days from today. If need be, the appellant’s reply shall be filed within seven days thereafter.
“All these point to the fact that both parties are interested in expeditious hearing of the main appeal before this court.
“Learned counsel for the respondents has given an undertaking that no unusual steps would be taken on behalf of the respondents. It is imperative to say that parties, as well as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), should tarry awhile.
“In effect, further proceedings before the Code of Conduct Tribunal should be stayed pending the hearing of the main appeal. Hearing date shall be communicated to the parties in due course,” Justice Fabiyi said in a ruling that was adopted by other members of the panel.
Saraki is in his appeal marked SC/852/2015 asked the apex court invoke its powers and quash the 13-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the federal government.
He also prayed the apex court to set aside the judgement of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal which gave the government the nod to open its case by call witnesses to testify against him in October.
The appeal filed through Saraki’s team of lawyers led by Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, reads,“An order staying further proceedings in Charge No: CCT/ABJ/01/2015 between Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki fixed for hearing on 5th and 6th of November, 2015 pending the determination of the appeal pending before the Supreme Court against the judgment of the Court of Appeal dated 30th October, 2015.”
Earlier, Jacobs and Saraki’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued the Senate President’s application for stay of proceedings pending the determination of the appeal.
While Daudu prayed the court to order a stay of proceedings at the CCT, Jacobs argued otherwise, contending that Saraki was only interested in frustrating his trial before the tribunal by filing multiple applications in various courts.
