Saraki’s lawyers walk-out as Tribunal insists trial must continue

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has ruled that Senate President Bukola Saraki’s trial must go ahead despite filling an appeal at the Supreme Court.
However, in protest against the Tribunal’s position, Saraki’s lawyers staged a walk out at the resumed hearing on Thursday in Abuja.
Counsel to Mr. Saraki, Ahmed Magaji, had enjoined the Tribunal to suspend further hearing pending the determination of the appeal filed at the Supreme Court.
However, the Tribunal chaired by Justice Danladi Umar, ruled in favor of the argument of the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, insisting that the trial would continue.
Mr. Sarakj had on Tuesday filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, asking it to order stay of proceedings on his trial at the Tribunal pending the determination of his appeal.
The Senate President proceeded to the Apex Court having failed to stop his trial at the Court of Appeal.
Two Judges of the three-member panel of the Appellate Court had held that the Code of Conduct Tribunal had jurisdiction to try Saraki and also dismissed all the five issues he raised.
The embattled Senate President is facing a 13-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and false declaration of assets when he was Kwara State Governor from 2003 to 2011.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal has given Saraki one week to reconstitute his legal team and adjourned to November 19, 2015.