Absence of prosecution team stalls Saraki’s trial at CCT

The trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on charges of false assets declaration filed against him by the Federal Government was adjourned yesterday.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Mr. Danladi Umar, had adjourned the trial till yesterday at the last sitting on May 25 to enable the defence continue with cross-examination of the prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), was said to have notified the tribunal that his witness (Wetkas) would be at the Federal High Court yesterday to give evidence in an on-going trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido and as such, would not be able to appear at the tribunal on time.

Jacobs was also said to have requested that the trial be either stood down pending when Wetkas would finish his testimony at the Federal High Court or be adjourned till another date.

But after hours of waiting and the prosecution did not show up, the tribunal decided not to fix a definite date until it receives from the prosecution team being led by Jacobs.

Consequently, the adjourned date was reserved and the tribunal disclosed that a new date would be communicated to parties involved in the matter.