EXTRA: Saraki’s lawyers at CCT fall from 80 to 51

Fifty-one lawyers on Tuesday announced their appearance for Senate President Bukola Saraki – a fall in the number of lawyers that appeared for him previously at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Eighty lawyers, including six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), had announced their appearance for Saraki at the CCT on March 18.

On March 11, 66 lawyers had also announced their appearance for the senate president.

But on Tuesday, Paul Usoro (SAN), Saraki’s counsel, reeled off 51 names, including three senior lawyers.

He informed the tribunal that Kanu Agabi, Saraki’s lead counsel, was in Akwa Ibom, hence his absence.

As proceedings began, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), counsel to the federal government, asked the court to commence trial in full, stating that all his witnesses were present.

But Usoro, Saraki’s lawyer, asked for an adjournment on the strength of a notice stay of proceedings served on the tribunal and the prosecution.

He explained that the defendant was challenging the March 24 ruling of the tribunal, which allowed the continuation of the trial, at the appeal court.

He therefore urged the tribunal to adjourn the matter until the determination of the application at the appeal court.

Both counsel were arguing the application as of the time of filing this report.