Abuja division of the Court of Appeal has again adjourned an appeal filed by the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, contesting a ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), where he alleged he would not be granted fair hearing in his trial over false asset declaration.
When the matter was called up before a five-man panel led by Justice Abdul Aboki, John Ochogwu, who represented the lead counsel to Saraki, informed the court about its application for an adjournment, which he said was predicated on the grounds that, Kanu Agabi, the lead counsel was indisposed.
He sought the court for a short adjournment for Agabi to be available for the matter.
Counsel to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rotimi Jacobs, however did not object to the application for adjournment, but urged the court to adjourn the matter to a date that would be suitable for the matter to be taken.
“We want this appeal to be heard but I know your Lordships would not take contentious appeal towards vacation,” Jacobs submitted.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to July 18, 2016, for hearing.
This is coming about 24 hours after the absence of Michael Wetkas, prosecution witness 1, in the trial of Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over false declaration of asset, stalled proceedings at the tribunal.
The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, however did confirm to BusinessDay that: “Our witness is busy before Hon. Justice Ademola of the Federal High Court Abuja in respect of Sule Lamido case.”
It would also be recalled that the court of appeal had adjourned hearing on the appeal, because, according to Justice Moo Adumi, “the court cannot sit if a quorum is not formed.”
Saraki, the appellant, is standing trial in a 16-count charge before the CCT, for not declaring some of his assets, operation of foreign accounts as a public officer and receiving salaries from Kwara State government while he was already a serving senator.
