BY KAYODE ADEOTI
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has explained why he appeared at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) trial despite having a pending appeal at the Supreme Court over the matter.
He said his greatest interest has always been to clear his name as soon as possible adding that it is his hope that justice will be expeditiously served by the Tribunal.
Saraki in a series of tweets on the issue who noted that he acted contrary to his counsel advised maintained his innocence over the 3-count charge for which he was returned to the tribunal by the appeal court.
He further expressed readiness to make himself available in court and to pursue justice even while his trial last with the CCT.
Saraki according to the tweets noted that “As a lawmaker and a law-abiding citizen in a nation governed by the rule of law, as opposed to the rule of men, I choose to appear before the Tribunal… despite having a pending appeal before the Supreme Court on the same matter.
“My lawyers actually advised that we should apply for a stay of the CCT proceedings pending the determination of the Appeal that we earlier filed before the Supreme Court. But I have a different opinion. I feel that despite the pending appeal before the apex Court, I should and will put up my defence as regards the 3 counts. I am convinced of my innocence on these counts and confident consequently of a favourable decision of the Tribunal on them. This has always been my position.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the Senate President who is standing trial on allegations of false asset declaration with CCT closed his defence after calling on his first witness, Dr Ademola Adebo.
Although, Saraki, through his counsel, Paul Usoro (SAN) at the commencement of proceedings told the Tribunal that he has lined up four witnesses to testify in his favour.
But his legal team decided to limit themselves to the first witness.
Shortly after the lone defence witness was cross examined by the prosecution witness, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the tribunal Chairman Danladi Umar asked parties for direction for further proceedings.
Lead counsel to Saraki, Kanu Agabi (SAN), conferred with his client in the box before the announcement to stay with the first that the defence would no longer call the remaining witnesses.
He consequently applied for a date for adjournment to enable parties adopt their final addresses.
Chairman of tribunal, subsequently adjourned the matter till February 27.
Recall that Saraki was arraigned in 2015 on 18-count charge, the tribunal had on June 13, 2017, discharged and acquitted him on the grounds of a no case submission.
The tribunal had held that the charges against him were based on hearsay.
However, the court of Appeal in delivering judgment on an appeal filed by the Federal Government nullified 15 of the charges and ordered the Senate President to respond to only three counts, prompting Saraki to return to the CCT on 6th February, 2018.
He maintained that as a lawmaker and law-abiding citizen, he is ready to put up his defence against the 3 count charges that are before the Tribunal, despite the advise of his counsel who urged him to approach the Supreme Court for a stay of proceedings.
The extract from the message read thus: “… I will be at the CCT in respect of 3 of the 18-count charges for which I have previously been cleared by the same Tribunal. This is following the verdict of the Court of Appeal which ordered that we should go and open our defence on 3 of the counts.
“As a lawmaker and a law-abiding citizen in a nation governed by the rule of law, as opposed to the rule of men, I choose to appear before the Tribunal… despite having a pending appeal before the Supreme Court on the same matter.
“My lawyers actually advised that we should apply for a stay of the CCT proceedings pending the determination of the Appeal that we earlier filed before the Supreme Court. But I have a different opinion. I feel that despite the pending appeal before the apex Court, I should and will put up my defence as regards the 3 counts. I am convinced of my innocence on these counts and confident consequently of a favourable decision of the Tribunal on them. This has always been my position.
“My greatest interest has always been to clear my name as soon as possible and it is my hope that justice will be expeditiously served by the Tribunal.”
