At the hearing of the case on Thursday morning, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, after hearing the brief of the counsels to Saraki and the CCT, ruled that the apex court will deliver judgment next year.
Advertisement
Saraki is facing 13 count charges bordering on false assets declaration at the tribunal when he as governor of Kwara state in 2003.
He was accused of deliberately manipulating the assets declaration form that he filed prior to his assumption of office as the Senate President, by making anticipatory declaration of assets, as well as, operated foreign bank account while in office as a public servant.
Saraki’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued among others that the CCT lacked the requisite jurisdiction to try the Senate President and urged the court to allow the appeal. Therefore, Mr. Daudu insisted, the Attorney General must authorize any prosecution of a criminal case. He noted that it was constitutionally mandated that any CCT trial must possess three members on its tribunal, yet his tribunal only possessed two members.
But the defence counsel, Rotimi Jacobs urged the court that by the words used in the constitution, the court is limited in criminal jurisdiction.
After listening to all the parties, the CJN who headed the apex court panel, adjourned the matter for judgment.
Advertisement
Fabiyi held that the stay of proceeding was to enable the apex court hear and determine the substantive appeal brought by Saraki.
