For Second Time, Saraki Fails To Appear Before Code of Conduct Tribunal

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, September 21st, 2015

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – For the second time, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki has failed to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, to answer questions relating to false declaration of assets, which he was alleged.

Saraki was billed to appear before the Tribunal Last Friday, but failed, prompting the chairman of the Tribunal to order issuance of bench warrant of arrest on the respondent.

The Monday’s absence also contradicted the undertaking by Saraki’s Counsel on his behalf that he would appear today.

In his defence Monday, Counsel to Saraki, Mr. Dawodu (SAN), a former National President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), explained that his client absence in court was on two grounds.

The first ground was to the fact that his client has filed a suit for stay of proceeding, before an appeal Court, therefore, prayed that the Tribunal should await the ruling of the appeal Court.

Mr. Dawodu also argued that the Tribunal hearing the suit was “incompetently constituted”, as the law says it must comprise the Chairman and two other members, as against the present two members.

The defendant’s Counsel held that his client could not appear before the Tribunal as its composition, proceedings and rulings were unconstitutional and amounted to nullity.

However, the plaintiff’s Counsel argued that despite the appeal, the Tribunal has jurisdiction to listen to the suit and rule on it.

The Tribunal has just risen for an hour recess, after which it will rule on the appearance or otherwise of the accused, Saraki.