For about a week now, the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, has been adjourned twice at the instance of the prosecution.
During the last sitting of the trial, the tribunal Chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar fixed April 18th for continuation of hearing.
Before that day, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacob, a senior advocate sent in a letter to the tribunal chairman, asking for a shift in the earlier date agreed among parties during the last proceedings.
Initially, during the last adjourned date, parties in the matter agreed to continue sitting on April 18th but few days to that date, he sent in another letter asking that the matter be shifted to 25th of April.
Few days to the matter again, Mr. Jacob sent in another letter asking that the matter be shifted to 27th of April.
The head, public affairs of the tribunal, Mr. Ibrahim Alhassan, confirmed that Mr. Jacob sent in letters asking for adjournment of the trial twice.
A source close to the legal team of the Senate President said they are worried and concerned that there won’t be any excuses on the part of the prosecution as to the availability of the witness in the matter on the next adjourned date.
Alhassan said, “I think the irregularities are on the part of the Prosecution, Mr. Jacob. He wrote to the tribunal to say that his witnesses won’t be available on the 18th and ask for a new date. He asked that the case be adjourned to 25th which was agreed upon but now he has asked for another date. So, the adjournments are at the instance of the prosecution and not the tribunal.”
Saraki has been standing trial over alleged false asset declaration.
He pleaded to the charges brought against him by the federal government before the tribunal.