The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday failed to give its ruling on an appeal filed by Senate President, Bukola Saraki challenging his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, rather the court adjourned indefinitely.
Mrs Christy Haruna, one of the Court Clerks announced the postponement of the judgment at the open court. “I have been instructed by the court to inform parties and interested members of the public that a new date for the ruling shall be communicated,’’ she said.
The appellate court had on Friday fixed Oct.19 to deliver judgment on the appeal. Dr. Saraki is facing charges on alleged false declaration of his assets. Justice Moore Adumein, who led two other justices of the court, fixed the date for that judgment after entertaining arguments from counsel to parties in the suit.
At that hearing, counsel to Saraki, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN) raised five major issues for determination by the court. Daudu averred that the Code of Conduct Tribunal erred in law by proceeding with the trial with two members instead of the mandatory three as provided by the constitution.
He also held that the Tribunal lacked jurisdiction to try criminal charges. On his part, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the prosecution counsel, urged the court to discountenance all the grounds of arguments advanced by counsel to the applicant. Jacobs had specifically submitted that the tribunal had criminal jurisdiction because of the use of words like “guilty” and “punishment” in the law that established it.
