Saraki's trial must go on- Suprem court rules

The Supreme court has ruled that Senate President, Bukola Saraki must continue his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). In a judgement delivered this morning, the apex court dismissed Saraki's appeal challenging the authority of the tribunal in trying him for a 13 count charge of asset falsification filed against him by the Federal government last year.

The apex court ruled that the tribunal had the constitutional power to try him and so his trial must continue.

S’Court hears Saraki’s application to halt CCT trial today

The Supreme Court will on Thursday (today) hear an application by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for stay of proceedings of his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on 13 counts of false assets declaration.

It was learnt on Wednesday that the Federal Government, through its counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had on Tuesday opposed the application for stay of proceedings, citing among other grounds, Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which prohibits courts from entertaining such application.

Saraki, who filed his application through his lead counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), on November 3, 2015, wants the Supreme Court to halt his trial before the CCT pending the hearing and determination of his appeal before the apex court.

The Senate President had appealed to the Supreme Court against the October 30, 2015 judgment of the Court of Appeal which affirmed the competence of the charges instituted against him and the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him.

My Trial Not Discussed In Meeting With Buhari – Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki on Wednesday evening said the focus of the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly was how to better the lot of Nigerians.

He said the meeting, which was at the instance of the President, was to devise means of delivering the promises made to Nigerians during electioneering.

Saraki spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting held behind closed doors at the First Lady’s Conference Hall inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said, “The meeting was an initiative of the President for an interaction with the leadership of the National Assembly.

“It was a very useful session, being the first one. This kind of interaction helps in ensuring smooth relationship between the two arms of government.

Lawyer Sues Buhari, Osinbajo Over Assets Declaration

Lagos—A lawyer and rights activist, Kabir Akingbolu, has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over allegedly failure to keep to their promise to Nigerians during their electioneering campaigns to publicly declare their assets.

Akingbolu, who initiated the suit, is contending that by declaring their assets secretly, Buhari and Osinbajo have violated Section 172 and Section 11 (1) and (2) of the Code of Conduct for public officers under the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Other defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and the Code of 

Conduct Bureau, CCB.

Buhari and Osinbajo had declared their assets to the CCB secretly, a development which drew public condemnation, with many insisting that it was a departure from the anti-corruption posture of the president and his vice.