Temporary reprieve for Saraki as Supreme Court halts CCT’s trial

ABUJA—Temporary reprieve came the way of the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki, yesterday, as the Supreme Court aborted bid by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, to begin    full blown hearing on the 13-count criminal charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.

In a ruling, yesterday, a five-man panel of justices of the apex court, led by Justice John Fabiyi, directed the CCT to ‘tarry awhile’ to enable it look into Saraki’s appeal.

It will be recalled that the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal had on November 5 declined to suspend hearing on the case.The tribunal, while refusing to hands-off the matter, gave the Federal Government the nod to call witnesses to testify against the Senate President on November 19.

Justice Umar anchored his decision on Section 305 (c) of the newly-enacted Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, which he said gave the tribunal powers to conclude the trial and pass sentence, but suspend execution until such a time the appeal before the higher court was considered and decided.

The decision infuriated Saraki’s lawyers who walked out on the tribunal, even as they accused the panel of engaging in “an act of rascality” by refusing to accord respect to judicial hierarchy.

CCT should halt proceedings until…