SUPREME COURT SENDS SARAKI BACK TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT TRIBIUNAL

The Supreme Court today ruled that the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, must return to the Code of Conduct Tribunal to face trial in his alleged false assets declaration, during his tenure as Governor of Kwara state.

 The Apex court threw out all the grounds presented before it by Senator Saraki, seeking the discontinuation of his trial by the CCT.
The Supreme Court therefore held that Saraki’s suit lacked merit and ruled that the Senate President must return to the Tribunal to defend the thirteen count charge bordering on false declaration of assets during his tenure as governor of Kwara state in 2003.
The Supreme Court overruled Saraki’s prayers that the CCT’s sitting with only two members was unconstitutional.

In the lead judgement Walter Onoghen held that by virtue of Section 28 of the Interpretation Act, the sitting of two members was valid, adding that the intention of the law establishing the Code of Conduct Tribunal is to make its proceedings criminal.
It equally ruled that the Tribunal has quasi jurisdiction and so can issue bench warrant contrary to Saraki’s argument.  

After the verdict, Saraki’s camp was in pensive mood, as they had expected the Apex Court to halt Senate President’s CCT trial.