The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT on Thursday ruled against the objections raised by Senate President Bukola Saraki, about its jurisdiction to try him for alleged false declaration of assets.
Mr. Saraki is facing a 13-count charge bothering on alleged corruption and false declaration of assets when he was the Governor of Kwara state between 2003 and 2011.
Kanu Agabi, SAN, Saraki’s lead lawyer, had argued at the last sitting that the Code of Conduct Bureau which filed the charges, failed to allow Dr. Saraki explain discrepancies in his assets declaration forms as required by law.
However, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar, ruled that there was no breach of law as the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1989, still allows the Senate President to raise his clarifications at the level of the tribunal.
Consequently, Justice Umar, ordered the prosecution to produce its witnesses, stressing that it does not matter how long a crime was committed.
He added that the federal government can initiate criminal proceeding anytime the crime is uncovered.
The trial has been adjourned till April 5, 2016.
