The Supreme Court Thursday morning suspended further hearing of the 13-count criminal charge pending against Senate President Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The apex court, in its ruling, directed the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal to suspend the trial to enable it to hear and determine the substantive appeal that Saraki lodged before it.
Consequently, the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) entered an undertaking before the apex court that “no unusual step will be taken by the federal government” in relation to the matter.
In their ruling, a five-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court led by Justice John Fabiyi said: “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.”
All the other members of the apex court panel also concurred with the lead ruling.
Saraki in his appeal, prayed the apex court to invoke its powers and quash the 13-count criminal charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
Besides, he wants 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 nod to open its case by calling witnesses to testify against him.
In the appeal he filed through his team of lawyers led by Mr. J.B. Daudu (SAN), the Senate President applied for an order staying further proceedings against him at CCT fixed for hearing on 5th and 6th of November, 2015 pending the determination of the appeal pending before the Supreme Court against the judgment of the Court of Appeal dated 30th October, 2015.
Further details later….
-Vanguard
