Senate
President Bukola Saraki is being represented by 66 lawyers, among whom
are seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), in his ongoing trial for
alleged false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal
(CCT).
According to a report on The Cable,
Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki was represented by 66
lawyers, among whom are seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), in his
ongoing trial for alleged false declaration of assets at the Code of
Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
It was revealed that some of the lawyers are Kanu Agabi (SAN), lead counsel; Mahmud Magaji (SAN) and Alphonsus Ogar.
Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who is the counsel to the federal government,
at the hearing of the case on Friday, told Danladi Umar, the judge, that
he was ready to present his witnesses, but Agabi told the court that
there was a motion that must be ruled on before the commencement of
trial.
In protest, Jacobs said: "This is a deliberate attempt to
scuttle this trial. So that this matter will not go on. Today’s business
is trial. That’s my submission."
Saraki in the accused box during his trial at CCT
Jacobs further said that he had not been served with the motion,
and urged the court to discountenance it, and order the calling of
witnesses. He argued that the defense counsel was employing tactical
means to stop the trial.
However, Agabi apologized to Jacobs for not serving him the motion
personally, and asked for the indulgence of the court because he was new
to the case.
After listening to the arguments of both counsel, Danladi admitted
that Agabi was new to the case, and as such should be given some room to
prepare his defense. He adjourned the matter to March 18 for hearing of
the motion and the substantive suit.
Meanwhile, the senate president reportedly arrived at the CCT trial earlier today with up to 30 senators.
