False Assets Declaration: Saraki Fails To Stop Trial By CCB

Senate President Bukola Saraki failed yesterday to stop his arraignment today before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja

In an ex parte application filed by his counsel, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), Saraki asked the court to halt his prosecution by the CCB.

But the court refused his prayer, but instead ruled that the respondents  (CBB, Code of Conduct Tribunal and the ministry of justice)  appear before it next Monday week to show cause why the case should not be dismissed.
“An order is hereby made directing the respondents to appear before this court on Monday, September 21, 2015 and show cause why the interim orders of injunction being sought by the plaintiff/applicant should not be made by the court,” a copy of the court order reads.
It further added that “all the respondents should be served with the originating summons filed in this suit, it’s accompanying affidavit, the motion on notice for interlocutory orders of injunction, the motion exparte for interim orders of injunction, the affidavit of urgency all the exhibits attached to the various affidavits filed.”
“Hearing notices shall also be issued on all the respondent?. The return date for the respondents to appear and show cause shall be the 21st of September. These orders are made pursuant to the provisions of order 26 rules 10 and 13 of the federal high court (Civil procedure) rules, 2009.”
Saraki was to be arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Friday.
He is accused of failing to declare some assets he acquired while in office as governor; acquiring assets beyond his legitimate earnings and operating foreign accounts while being a public officer – governor and senator.
The Senate President is, in the charge endorsed by a Deputy Director at the FMJ, Muslim Hassan, said to have, by the offences, breached Section 2 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
The CCT, on Wednesday, fixed today for Saraki’s arraignment. But, in an effort to prevent the CCT from proceeding with its business, Saraki raced to the Federal High Court, Abuja with the ex-parteapplication.
Saraki urged the court to restrain  the Federal Ministry of Justice, CCB, CCT and Mr. Hassan, who signed the charge, from taking any further step to arraign or prefer any charge against him, pending the hearing and determination of the suit he filed along with the ex-parte motion.