Following
the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, to commence
full-blown hearing on the 13-count criminal charge against the Senate
President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, despite the pendency of the appeal before
the Supreme Court, all his lawyers, this afternoon, staged a walk out on
the tribunal.
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Saraki’s legal team, comprising of three Senior
Advocates of Nigeria and 24 lawyers, through their leader Mr. Mahmud
Magaji, SAN, said they were not comfortable to take part in what they
termed “judicial rascality”.
Mahmud’s position was also supported
by another SAN in his team, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, who told the tribunal
that it would be unfortunate for references to be made in future that
they, being senior members of the bar, took part in such proceeding.
“On
behalf of the defence counsel, we find it most impossible to continue
to sit here. We shall be seeking the indulgence of your lordships to
withdraw our appearance”, Raji, added.
Meantime, Saraki has
begged the tribunal to allow him to either persuade his legal team to
comeback into the matter, or to engage new lawyers to defend him.
Even
though he urged the tribunal to grant him one month adjournment, the
Justice Danladi Umar led panel adjourned the case till November 19 for
the federal government to call witnesses against him.
Bukola
Saraki in Court: Senate President Bukola Saraki at Code of Conduct
Tribunal shortly after his lawyers walkout of the Court during court
sitting in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
Bukola
Saraki in Court: Counsel to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Abubakar
Magaji SAN addressing pressmen as Saraki s lawyers walkout of the Court
room during court sitting at Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja. Photo
by Gbemiga Olamikan
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