Saraki to miss Senate sitting till further notice as CCT chair declares daily hearing

The trial of senate president, Senator Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal has taken a new turn as the chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar directed on Monday that the trial will henceforth proceed day to day until the conclusion of the case.

He also said the trial will begin 10am and end 6pm everyday.

Umar, who gave this directive at the resumed hearing in the case, pointed out his resolve to carry out the trial day to day in line with the provisions of section 396(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The directive was given in response to a request for one hour stand-down by the lawyer who represented the prosecution on Monday, Mr. Gabriel Esegine.

Esigine disclosed to the tribunal that the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs requested for the stand-down to enable him have a brief appearance before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

In response, Umar, who expressed dissatisfaction over the request for stand-down warned that the tribunal would no longer wait for anybody.

He said, “By virtue of 396 (6) the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, criminal trial of a defendant after arraignment shall proceed day to day.

“This is what the tribunal intends to do. I’m saying this to both the prosecution and the defence, this tribunal will not wait for anybody.

“We will start by 10am till about 6pm till the conclusion of the case.

“For the benefit of those who want to pray we will give a break for about 15 minutes. By 4pm, we will give another 15 minutes break to enable people to stretch their legs.”