The trial of the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki, at the Code of
Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, has been adjouned to October 21.
Earlier, the trial of Dr. Olubukola Saraki took a dramatic turn when he
refused to mount the dock.
The trial tribunal, headed by Justice Danladi Umar, called up Saraki’s
case at exactly 10:32am.
Where is the prosecution, is the accused person here?”, Justice Umar who
was looking directly at Saraki from his vantage post, queried.
“Mr lord I cannot see him. I think the first thing is for him to enter the
dock first, then we will announce our appearances. After which the charge
will be read to him”, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs
submitted.
“With profound respect to the chairman and member of this tribunal, I
agree with my learned brother that we should enter appearances first. The
order of this tribunal was that the accused should be produced today. It
was not for his to enter his plea. The case was earlier adjourned for
mention”, counsel to Saraki, Mr. J.B. Daudu, insisted.
Daudu vehemently opposed the idea of Saraki entering the dock, relying on
an Appeal Court decided case law in Igbeke vs FRN, ý2015, 3 NWLR.
Eventually, Saraki entered the dock and pleaded not guilty to the 13-count
criminal charge that was preferred against him by the federal government.
The Tribunal adjourned sitting to October 21, 2015.
Saraki who addressed the court from the dock, said: “I am a firm believer
of the rule of law. I have come here to subject myself before this
tribunal. I strongly believe that I am here because I am the Senate
President”.
“I felt that the CCB should have called me. We have been hearing about new
Nigeria but this is the first time this kind of thing is being done
without following the due process. Nigerians are watching and the world is
also watching. I will confirm myself to the due process. So as i stated, I
want to say that I am not guilty”, Saraki stated.