False Assets Declaration: Saraki To Know Fate On Charges Validity March 24

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, March 18th, 2016

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

Following the fresh motion he filed before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Senate President, Bukola Saraki will know his fate March 24, 2016 on the legality or otherwise of the false assets declaration suit against him before the special court.

CCT Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar gave the ruling Friday after listening to arguments of the prosecution Counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and Saraki’s Lawyer, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN).

It would be recalled at the resumed hearing last Friday, Mr. Agabi filed a fresh motion, contesting the validity of the allegations against Saraki before the Tribunal. He prayed in the motion that the allegations were false and in not in the interest of the nation.

In his prayer today, Agabi contended that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the charges against his client, also that the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) lacked the power to file the suit before the tribunal.

The former Minister of Justice further argued that the CCT erred for not inviting the Senate President, to first confront him with the breaches in his assets declaration form. He concluded that the approach was significant to the validity of the alleged charges.

In contrast, Mr. Jacobs, described Agabi’s motion as an abuse of court process, therefore, prayed the court to dismiss it.

Mr. Jacobs based his counter on the fact that the fresh motion had earlier been filed before the Supreme court and the same court had ruled over it.

He argued further that the absence of AGF could not stall the filling of the charges before the special court.

Mr. Agabi led other 79 lawyers representing Saraki at the Friday’s hearing.