Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Mr Danladi Umar has adjourned the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki till the 5th and 6th of November, saying that the Court of Appeal’s verdict will determine the fate of Saraki’s trial by CCT.
The Court of Appeal which had on Friday last week said it would deliver judgment on Saraki’s suit challenging CCT on Monday failed to do so, fueling speculations that the two judicial bodies might be playing on time.
The Court of Appeal adjourned without fixing a specific date of resuming on the case.
Saraki is facing a 13-count charge for false declaration of assets while serving as the governor of Kwara state in north central Nigeria preferred against him by the Code of Conduction Bureau.
Reports say he stormed the venue of the tribunal sitting on Wednesday with about 84 senators who went to show their solidarity for their leader.Saraki is facing trial for alleged false declaration of assets
The senate president filed a suit at the Court of Appeal challenging the jurisdiction and the composition of the CCT.
The Registrar of the Court announced Monday the judgment has been adjourned indefinitely.
Many had thought that the CCT would not sit Wednesday in the aftermath of the court of Appeal’s decision to adjourn its ruling Sine Die.
But the Tribunal proceeded with its sitting evidently to announce the adjournment. Reports said Saraki arrived the CCT venue along with over 20 senators. Also the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu came to the venue along with at least 4 other senators.
The Registrar of CCT, Mr Bintu Garba also reportedly announced the Tribunal’s decision to ban live television coverage of the proceedings .The ban was allegedly directed by the CCT Chairman.
The trial has stalled the screening ministerial nominees on Wednesday evening, the Senate had adjourned plenary till Thursday contrary to earlier assertion that the screening of ministerial nominee would continue on Wednesday.
One of the most eagerly expected screening is that of the former governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi, whose screening has been postponed three times.
The former governor is a subject of tens of petitions from home Rivers State alleging his fraudulent activities while he was governor of the Niger Delta state.
