Thursday 5 November 2015

Saraki's defense counsels resign, walks out of the Code of Conduct Tribunal

The legal team of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki's on Thursday resigned from defending Mr. Bukola Saraki on corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

According to the Premium Times, the lawyers left the tribunal on Thursday after the special court refused to suspend the trial to allow the Supreme Court rule on the matter.

Mr. Saraki is facing a 13-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and false declaration of assets.
He was arraigned on September 18, but pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail.

On Wednesday, Mr. Saraki appealed to the Supreme Court to stop the trial after the Court of Appeal in Abuja refused his request last week.

At the resumed hearing Thursday, Mr. Saraki’s lawyers argued that the case be stood down for the Supreme Court to take a decision.

Two of his counsels, Ahmed Magaji and Ahmed Raji, walked out of the Code of Conduct Tribunal after chairman of the tribunal, Umar Danladi, decided to continue hearing.

The lawyers, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria, described the decision of Mr. Umar as “judicial rascality” never seen in their years of legal practice.

“It is a strange situation; it is not done anywhere that a matter is pending before a higher court, as the one in the Supreme Court and proceedings will continue in a smaller court,” Mr. Magaji said. 



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