Court Rules That Saraki Must Face Trial At CCT

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to stop the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The decision was reached by Justice Abdul Kafarati on Friday, April 15, 2016, The Cable reports.

“It appears to me all that the applicant is trying to do is to stop his criminal trial at CCT. The CCT is a competent court to try the criminal matters,” the judge said.

“This court cannot interfere with the case at the tribunal which has power to try cases. It is not appropriate for the applicant to approach this court. This case is hereby dismissed,” he added.

Justice Kafarati had withdrawn from the case in March 2016 after he was accused of corruption by an online platform.

“It is only in this country that people can wake up and start calling people names. In the circumstance, I disqualify myself from this case. I will hereby send the case file to the chief judge for re-assignment to another judge,” he said at the time.

He was however reportedly convinced by the Chief Judge of the court to rule on the matter.

Saraki has approached several courts in a bid to stop the trial but has failed at every attempt.

The Senate President has been accused of asset declaration fraud and is said to have committed the offence during his tenure as the governor of Kwara State.