Senate President Bukola Saraki’s Corruption Trial Postponed As His Lawyers Challenge Jurisdiction Of Tribunal

The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki has been postponed by one week as his lawyers led by Kanu Agabi SAN surprisingly submitted an application to the Code of Conduct Tribunal challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try him for failing to declare his assets.

Saraki arrived the venue of the trial in Abuja under tight security, however, what had promised to be a historic trial date did not happen as the tribunal quickly ended the day by acceding to the request of Saraki’s lawyers contesting the tribunal’s jurisdiction. 

A government lawyer who spoke to Saharareporters said the application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal came as a surprise since the Supreme Court had settled the issue of jurisdiction in its ruling, he also indicated that Saraki’s lawyers had not be shared their application with prosecutors before the commencement of today’s tribunal sitting.

SaharaReporters had revealed that Saraki’s sudden change of his lead attorney was due to his belief that Mr. Agabi could influence the judge and prosecutor because he was at a time their principal both at his law firm as well as during his tenure as Nigeria’s attorney general.

The tribunal adjourned the case till Friday next week for the continuation of hearing.

Mr. Agabi later addressed the media claiming the fresh application was in the "interest of justice"

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS