11th March, 2016
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The prosecution and the defence counsel have agreed on next Friday for the argument of the motion on jurisdiction.
Justice Umar asked the defence to ensure that he served all motions and processes on the prosecution counsel to avoid further delay of the trial.
He therefore adjourned the case to Friday, 18 March, 2016 for moving of the motion and possible hearing of the substantive matter. The Senate President sat in the dock as the lawyers exchanged arguments.
A second member of the Tribunal has appealed to Rotimi Jacobs, prosecutor’s lead counsel to allow the motion to be taken so that the trial can go on.
“The motion I have not seen”, Jacobs retorted. The tribunal member asked Agabi to address the court on his failure to serve the prosecution counsel. “Rotimi, should I kneel down,” said Agabi.
The Defence Counsel complained of coming under different forms of attacks and intimidation in the course of prosecuting Saraki. But Agabi threw the court into laughter as he embarked on what seemed a charm offensive, declaring his love for Jacobs.
Justice Umar then intervened, asking the defence counsel to serve the prosecution the motion on the challenge of the Tribunal’s jurisdiction.
Jacobs said the Tribunal should adjourn till Monday for argument of the application.
But Agabi asked for adjournment till next Friday, arguing that as an old man who will be 70 in two days, he may not be able to respond to the prosecutor’s brief on time.
The lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi has announced that 66 lawyers are in court to defend Saraki.
Saraki docked at the Code of Conduct Tribunal as proceedings get underway.
Proceedings in the trial of Senator Saraki for false assets declaration has commenced as Justice Danladi Umar enters the courtroom around 10.10 am.
The Counsels are annoucing their appearance as more people enter into the courtroom.
Six SANs in court for Saraki.
The lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi announced that he has six SANs with him in addition to other lawyers
Saraki has entered the courtroom of the CCT, he did so at exactly 9.55 am to the subdued excitement of his expectant supporters.
Dressed in sparkling white guinea brocade, he was accompanied by a retinue of senators who quickly filled up the five benches reserved for them.
Before taking his seat, the Senate President went to greet his defence counsel lead by Kanu Agabi (SAN).
However after shaking Agabi, the Senate President extended his hand to Jacobs, the lead prosecuting counsel, an action that was met with loud, simultaneous disapproval of “Nooo!” by his supporters.
The Senate President quickly withdrew his hand from Jacobs. He is now seated waiting for the commencement of the trial.
9.34 am: The courtroom of the Code of Conduct Tribunal is already filled as excepted. The five benches reserved for Senator Bukola Saraki, Nigeria’s senate president will be occupied by senators who are expected to accompany him to the Tribunal.
Most of those who have arrived in court early are aides of the Senate President as well as members of his political family from Kwara State, journalists and lawyers.
Kanu Agabi, SAN, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice who is Saraki’s new lead counsel is also already in court.
As expected, he came with a retinue of lawyers.
The prosecution counsel is also already in court with his team of lawyers. The lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs arrived around 9.40 am.
The trial is being conducted under very tight security. Police has deployed scores of officers from its regular, anti riot and anti terrorism squad to ensure that trouble makers are kept at bay.
The police have restricted youth group who came to support the Senate President to some metres away from the Tribunal premises.
The trial is expected to kick off at 10:00 am.