Asset Declaration: CCT Insists on Jurisdiction, Reissues Bench Warrant for Saraki’s Arrest

Senate President, Bukola Saraki

•Appeal Court formally notifies tribunal on stay of proceedings

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) sitting in Abuja on Monday has insisted that it has jurisdiction over the ongoing false asset declaration case instituted against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, despite the ruling of the Federal High Court and acknowledging the request for a stay of execution at the Federal Court of Appeal.

To this end, the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, reissued a bench warrant for Saraki's arrest, insisting that he must appear before it at 10am Tuesday.

Umar ruled that Saraki must be available in 24 hours or be made available by the Inspector General of Police (IG) to take a plea in the 13-count charge slammed against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over the alleged false declaration of assets.

He said the tribunal took notice of the fact that the case has been ruled upon by the Federal High Court on Thursday to show cause why it should not be restrained from arraigning Saraki over allegations bordering on false and improper declaration of assets said to have been acquired during his tenure as Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

He also took notice of the fact that the Appeal Court has entered into its registry on Monday the request by the defendants, asking for a state of proceedings.

He however argued that in the two instances, no ruling or decisions has been taken baring it from jurisdiction or going ahead with proceedings and adjudication of the case before it.

Despite the appeals to the contrary by the lead counsel to the Senate President, JB Daudu, the tribunal agreed with the prosecuting counsel that Saraki must appear in person at the Tribunal on Tuesday without fail.

Sourced from thisdaylive.com.