The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Tuesday denied the application of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki asking the tribunal to recant on its earlier pronouncement that the ongoing trial shall be from day-to-day.
Quoting section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Umar ruled that the application seeking the matter to be adjourned till next week “is hereby refused and the trial shall be on day-to-day basis as earlier pronounced.”
Saraki through his counsel, Kanu Agabi sought for an adjournment of the matter till next week, which is at variance with earlier rulings of the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar.
Agabi said the adjournment will allow the defence more time to study and prepare for the matter.
Responding, the prosecution led by Rotimi Jacobs urged the tribunal not to entertain the application, saying the application was an attempt to defeat the earlier declaration of the tribunal.
“Your lordship agreed to adjourn the matter till tomorrow so that the witness will continue with the cross examination.
“My lord, we have gone past the level of proof of evidence, after the document has been tendered as exhibit; so, using the magnanimity of the tribunal to ask for an adjournment after collecting the evidence tendered, which they have studied is unacceptable.”
Jacobs argued that since September 17, 2015, the tribunal has given the defendant 7 adjournments.
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