Supreme Court To Decide Saraki's Fate Tomorrow

On Friday, the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will learn whether or not he will face the trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will rule on his appeal challenging the decision of the Appeal Court, which upheld the decision that tribunal has the authority to try him for corruption-related charges.

A 3-man panel on the Supreme Court on December 4, 2015, ordered a stay of proceeding by the tribunal, pending the determination of the appeal and asked the counsels to exchange their brief of argument within 14 days. The apex court then fixed February 5, 2016, to deliver its judgement.                                        

Mr. Saraki argued that the CCT lacked jurisdiction to try him because it was not properly constituted, as it comprised two instead of three members provided for by the Constitution. In addition, the Senate President stated that the charges were not competently made.                

Earlier the appeal court affirmed that it was within the CCT’s jurisdiction to try Mr. Saraki in a split judgement.                                      

The Senate president is facing a 13-count charge of false assets declaration, which he allegedly made in 2003 as Governor of Kwara State before the CCT.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS