BY Fredrick Nwabufo
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), TheCable can report.
Some of the lawyers are Kanu Agabi (SAN), lead counsel; Mahmud Magaji (SAN), Yusuf Ali (SAN), Kehinde Aleja (SAN), Saka Ishau (SAN), Paul Irekoro (SAN) and Alphonsus Ogar.
At the hearing of the case on Friday, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), counsel to the federal government, 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. The motion was to challenge the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try Saraki.
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.”
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 defence counsel was employing tactical means to stop the trial.
But Agabi apologised 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 defence.
He adjourned the matter to March 18 for hearing of the motion and the substantive suit.
This website uses cookies.