The trial of Nigeria’s Senate President will now take place everyday until it is concluded, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, directed on Monday.
He said the trial of Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is facing false assets declaration charges, will proceed day to day from today, Monday, until the conclusion of the case. The trial will begin every day by 10 a.m. and end by 6 p.m., he added.
He said his decision to conduct the trial day to day was in line with the provisions of section 396(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
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.”
The lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), however joined the prosecution in pleading with the tribunal to grant the stand-down.
The CCT chairman then reluctantly stood the case down till 12pm.