A mild drama took place at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Tuesday as a counsel to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Paul Erokoro lambasted Federal Government’s lawyer for insisting that only one counsel should be allowed to cross examine a witness.
Saraki is standing trial on a 16-count charge of false assets declaration.

Erokoro said this while reacting to the submission of Federal Government’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who condemned the trend where more than one defence lawyer keep cross-examining a particular witness.

Since the cross-examination of the principal witness, Michael Wetkas, who is an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, two different defence counsels have cross examined the witness, this the prosecution frowns at.

Jacobs contended that only the lead defence, counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, is bound to conclude cross examination which he started, adding that a situation where other lawyers in a team cross examines a single witness is unacceptable.

“This will make the proceedings endless, if one counsel is called he should conclude it.”

“Only the lead counsel can speak on behalf of the defendant,” Jacobs said.

But contending with the prosecution’s submission, Paul Orokoro, SAN, said the defendant has the right to be represented by as many counsels as possible.

This brought about wild cheers from people seated in the tribunal hall.

Orokoro said, “There is no law backing my learned friend’s submission, a counsel is entitled to as many lawyers as possible.

“The defence cannot always ask for an adjournment because one counsel is tired.”

Orokoro argued that the defence will take its time to cross examine the witness based on the evidence presented before the tribunal.

“The evidence presented before the tribunal is over 1,500 in pages and we are going take our time to do what is right.

“The prosecution had just succeeded in wasting the time of the tribunal,” Erokoro asserted.

Meanwhile, the proceedings continues…


http://dailypost.ng/2016/05/10/drama-in-cct-as-sarakis-lawyer-blast-fg-for-wasting-tribunals-time/

SARAKI, THE FACE OF CORRUPTION

Ok but where is the drama?

Okk

yea take your time.

waste more time.

I also believe FG is wasting the tribunal's time. APC has found a political solution to the trial. Saraki will be freed

Many insane people in Nigeria. This is time for Nigerians to rise up, the fight against corruption is a fight for all. All these lawyers playing on our integrity need to learn great lesson. Using whatever means to stop fight against corruption will never work, many people are suffering cos of acts of people like saraki. He needs no sympathy at all, the judgment must prevail at all cost.

Why is this FG always confused in issues of Justice and Rule of Law?

"The evidence presented before the tribunal is over 1,500 in pages" there is no way saraki can escape this.

war of words... This Saraki's counsel wants things done in earnest.

God will see us the masses through in this our country.

Lawyers Lowyas!!

They can make white look like purple.

Back 2 d Matter,
MODs where is the Drama

WHEN ATTACK BECOMES THE BEST FORM OF DEFENCE.............EROKORO GO AND SIT DOWN BABA BUHARI TAKES HIS TIME ON EVERYTHING CANT YOU SEE EXAMPLE OF WHEN THE BUDGET WAS SIGNED....INFACT THIS SARAKI'S CASE WILL BE ON TILL THE END OF BABAS TENURE OR EVEN ON TILL THY KINGDOM COME OR RAPTURE TAKES PLACE ..........

Blast koo, fire nii. Where Is d bomb blast, or blast self

So dis is drama?..OP get well soon

Looters must fall

Every time there ll always be Drama in this trial.

They should kuku turn it to a soap, make it like super story


Its a Saraki's triiaaaaal....

We re nothing but pencils in the hands of APC

And the drama continues..

I wonder which page out of 1500 they are in now?

Not a fan of Saraki's but a witness can be cross-examined by different defence counsels. This is applicable everywhere.

Who is wasting the Tribunal's time?

Anyway, while I agree with the defence team that they are entitled to defend their client case with as many lawyers as they want, I however disagree with the argument that all the defence lawyers or nearly all are entitled to cross examin a witness. I know no law that allows that. Though It's the law that supporting /co counsels are not cosmetics. But where they are all led by a lead counsel, whatever he says is deemd to have been said by all the co counsels. In any event, If other co counsels will be allowed to also cross examin a witness, I'm of the opinion that the number should be minimal. Otherwise, If the defence team argument should hold water, I wonder who would be wasting the Tribunal's time?


*NaijaLegalAnalyst*

Coming from the same people that have gone to all manner of courts, including the basketball court, looking for ways to stall the case

Fayose must be Einstein compared to these clutterheads.

Sunnycliff:
Why is this FG always confused in issues of Justice and Rule of Law?

comprehension problem.

Mtcheeeew

lilprinze:
g

fasho01:
.

king94:
J

fasho01:
.

You are hereby banned forthwith. If you cant get a fast phone, dont rush to front page

Stop worsening matters for your counsel Mr Paul

The lady above works in Ecobank. She is Bukola Olowookere. She left the office on the 5th May 2016 and she never got home. And her whereabouts are unknown.
Please anyone with useful information should contact her husband on 09083961518, brother on 08093911756, Remi on 08064546119 or he nearest police station.

We will appreciate you broadcast this to all your contact. We really need this from you all.

Please!

Fmartin:
comprehension problem.
Mtcheeeew

Even you signature below na gbagaun

[color=#000099][/color] ok oh. D drama continue