For the first time, CCT rules in Senate President's favour

dimeji akinloye

May 10, 2016 6:08 PM

The previous applications filed by Saraki's counsel since his corruption case started in September 2015 never succeeded.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on March 24, 2016.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, May 10, for the first time since the beginning of his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), got a ruling in his favour.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, had requested that Saraki should should only use a particular counsel for the cross-examination of a witness.

He is facing a 16-count charge of false declaration of assets when he was the Governor of Kwara State.

Saraki's counsel, Kanu Agabi, had asked the tribunal to allow a different counsel, Paul Irokoro, to go ahead with the cross- examination of the witness, Michael Wetkas, who was previously examined by another of Mr. Saraki’s lawyers, Paul Usoro.

But Jacobs asked the tribunal to ensure that only Saraki’s lead counsel cross examines Wetkas, who is the first prosecution witness to testify against the Senate President.

Jacobs cited Section 349 (7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, to support his point that only the lead counsel should cross examine Wetkas.

READ: Saraki's lawyer says he was rich before becoming Governor

But a member bench member, William Atedze, disagreed with Jacobs, saying that the section alluded to, does not require the use of only the lead counsel for the said cross-examination.

The tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, however ruled that the tribunal would act based on the provisions of the law.

dimeji akinloye