UPDATED: Saraki’s case adjourned ‘indefinitely’

‎The Abuja division of the appeal court has adjourned ruling on the case between Senate President Bukola Saraki and the code of conduct tribunal (CCT).

The registrar of the court, who announced the decision, gave no explanation on why it was taken.

In September, Saraki had approached the appeal court seeking to stop his trial for alleged false declaration of assets at the CCT.

‎Before going to the appeal court, Saraki had gone to the high court to challenge his trial at the CCT, but Ahmed Mohammed, the judge handling the case, withdrew from it on September 30, citing crisis of confidence.

Last Friday, the court had scheduled to give judgment on the matter on Monday, but adjourned ruling indefinitely.

Joseph Daodu (SAN), Saraki’s lawyer, ‎ had urged the court to halt the trial of his client at the CCT on the grounds that the tribunal was not properly constituted, and that it had no powers to entertain criminal charges.

“The composition of the tribunal during the trial of my client violated paragraphs 15(1) of the 1999 Constitution by sitting with two members instead of three,” he had said.

“My Lord we are seeking the court’s understanding to nullify the CCT proceedings of last month due to lack of quorum.”

The trial of the senate president at the CCT‎ is expected to continue on Wednesday, and already the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), has listed five witnesses who will testify against Saraki.