The justices of the Court of Appeal in Abuja have concluded
plans to order a stop to the trial of Senate President Bukola
Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, two judicial sources have
told SaharaReporters. One of the sources disclosed that the
appellate court justices would deliver a judgment as early as 2
p.m. today ordering immediate discontinuation of Mr. Saraki’s trial
for corruption.
Senator Bukola Saraki in court facing charges of corruption
One of our two sources stated that a former Justice of the Supreme
Court, Alfa Belgore, had been working behind the scenes to arrange
a verdict by the Court of Appeal to the effect that Mr. Saraki’s trial
by the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja was irregular and a
violation of the senator’s fundamental rights, and must cease.
Last Friday, Justices M.A.A. Adumien, J.E. Ekanem and M.
Mustapha adjourned ruling in the matter till today. Mr. Saraki’s
lawyers had asked the justices to determine that the tribunal
lacked jurisdiction to try former Governor Saraki for failure to
declare his assets as provided for by the Code of Conduct law for
public officers.
Mr. Saraki was arraigned on September 22, 2015 after he tried
unsuccessfully to use the Federal High Court and the Court of
Appeal to thwart his arraignment. Our sources stated that retired
Justice Belgore has had success as the embattled senator’s
emissary in persuading the Appeal Court to scuttle the trial.
“The haste with which the Court of Appeal justices have handled
Dr. Saraki’s case is surprising since the Code of Conduct Tribunal
has not even begun his trial,” said a lawyer familiar with the drama
surrounding the widely watched case.
Mr. Saraki is scheduled to return to the Code of Conduct Tribunal
on Wednesday to face federal prosecutors who maintain that they
have overwhelming evidence against him.