CCT to rule on jurisdiction in Saraki’s case on March 24
Senate President Bukola Saraki on arrival at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for the resumption of his trial for an alleged false declaration of assets in Abuja Friday, March 11, 2016. PHOTO: Ladidi Lucy Elukpo.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, will deliver judgement on March 24 on a motion challenging its right to hear charges of false declaration of assets preferred against Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The tribunal made the decision after listening to arguments from the prosecution and the defence.
Saraki, who was represented about 80 lawyers, is standing trial on a 13-count charge of false declaration of assets.
Saraki’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) had filed a fresh application challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribunal over the case.
The motion, dated March 4, was in pursuant to Section 36 (6) (a)(b), 36 (12) and paragraph 15 of the First Schedule of 1999 Constitution: Section 3 and paragraph 1 of the third schedule of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
The application sought an order of the court quashing and/or striking out the charges contained in Charge No. CCT/ABJ/01/2015 filed on September 14, last year by the Respondent against the Applicant.
The grounds for the fresh application include that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to entertain the charge; that a condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction has not been fulfilled and that the charge was brought in bad faith.
But the lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said Saraki’s lawyer filed the motion to deliberately stall the trial, pointing out the validation of the tribunal’s right to try Saraki by the Supreme Court.
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2 Comments
Sarsi is a fraud abi initio and he should step down now and go and clear his first!
he is alledged to have committed the listed crime, howevevr CCB/T chairman should resign for allowing hinself/institution to play the script of some self centered and greedy political leaders. OBJ went off what most of them have done ;looting our collective wealth as former military leaders. he told gullible nigerians of how much Abacha looted our collective wealth probbly becuase late abacha almost killed him. If abacha had reitired like most of them, this story of abacha loot being recovered would have never been told, just like all the looting carried out by many of them still alive today. I see CCB/T as a very corrupt and politiclly compromised institution that is not fit for purpose, unless President Buhari is prepare to overhaul the enitire organisation to meet his war against corruption that you and i want and happy to support.
We will review and take appropriate action.