As the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki resumes sitting on Monday 21st September, 2015, before Justice Danladi Umar led Code of Conduct Tribunal, Saraki was again not present to defend all the 13-count charges preferred against him.
As proceedings began, Justice Danladi immediately asked that Saraki be put in the dock, but his defense counsel Joseph Daodu rose to announce that he was absent. According to him: “There is an interlocutory injunction by the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining further hearing by the Tribunal.”
Daodu also cited provisions of the Tribunal Act that where there was subsisting interlocutory injunctions, appearance of accused was not mandatory, thus, there is conflict of injunctions and his client may not know which one to obey.
Prosecuting Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs who represents the Federal Ministry of Justice re-emphasised that the Code of Conduct Tribunal has coordinate jurisdiction, thus it seeks the Tribunal to go ahead with hearing.
However, Chairman of the Tribunal has said the issue of Saraki’s none appearance remains an issue to be pounded separately while reminding the defense counsel of his undertaking to produce Saraki before his Court today which (Daodu) sought for and, which he noted.
“I want to remind you that you sought for an undertaking to produce Senator “Bukola Saraki before the Tribunal and I said it is noted, which was recorded. Or you didn’t get what I said?,” Tribunal Chairman said.
Meanwhile, as the Court reconvened from break at exactly 1.00 pm, the Tribunal Chairman cited provisions of relevant sections of law interalia: Those of Code of Conduct Tribunal, Criminal Code Act as applicable in the Northern region and Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, ruling that Bukola Saraki be made to appear personally tomorrow.
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