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| Dr. Bukola Saraki |
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola
Saraki this morning lost his bid to stop the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)
from going ahead with the 13-count charge slammed against him by the Code of
Conduct Bureau over his alleged failure to declare assets accordingly.
In a ruling, the Justice Danladi
Umar led panel held that the charge against him was valid and competent in law
adding that the contention over the time of the prosecution by the accused
lacked merit, and emphatically said that CCT pursuant to the 1999 constitution
is competent with the requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine the case
against the defendant.
However, Justice Umar, admitted that the Tribunal erred in its decision in a similar case that involved the former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu adding that the Tribunal has taken note of the error.
However, Justice Umar, admitted that the Tribunal erred in its decision in a similar case that involved the former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu adding that the Tribunal has taken note of the error.
“The tribunal has since realized
that the decision it made on the case between FRN vs Tinubu was in error and
has clearly departed from it”.
Justice Umah also clarified Saraki’s contention that Federal
Government should be barred by latches after waiting for over 13 years of the
alleged act stating that under the Criminal Code (Laws of Nigeria), there is no
time frame for the prosecution of criminal offences.
“It is not out of place for the prosecution to charge the
defendant now. The application to quash the charge is hereby refused. The
tribunal hereby re-inforce its jurisdiction in line with the constitution an
section 3(d) of the CCB &Tribunal Act. Accordingly, the prosecution is
hereby ordered to produce its witnesses for the trial of the defendant to
commence immediately”, Justice Umar said.
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