B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G: Supreme Court Suspends Saraki's Trial

Senate President,Bukola Saraki's 13 count criminal charge took another twist this Morning at the supreme court as the apex court in its ruling directed the Code of Conduct tribunal,CCT to suspend the trial pending the ,time it is able to hear and determine the substantive appeal Saraki lodged before it.

The  prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, also entered ‎an undertaking before the supreme court that “no unusual step will be taken by the federal government”, in relation to the matter. He also demanded for accelerated hearing to prevent the accused from further delaying his trial. 

In their ruling, a five-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court ‎led by Justice John Fabiyi, stated: “It is imperative to state that all the parties, including the Code of Conduct Tribunal, should tarry a while to enable this court to determine the appeal before it.

“In effect, further proceeding at the CCT should be stayed pending the hearing of the appeal. Hearing date will be communicated to all the parties”, Justice Fabiyi ruled.

All the other members of the apex court panel also concurred with ‎the lead ruling.

Bdeforehand,Saraki, in his appeal marked SC/852/2015, asked the apex court to invoke its powers and quash the 13-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the federal government.

The appeal also requested the Supreme Court to set aside the judgement of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal which on October 30, gave the government the opportunity to open its case by calling witnesses to ‎testify against him.