Tribunal orders Senate President’s arrest

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has ordered the arrest of Senate President, Bukola Saraki after he failed to appear before it today, September 18, 2015, on corruption charges.

READ: Code of Conduct Bureau accuses Saraki of corruption

The tribunal granted a request for Saraki’s arrest made by a deputy director in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, M.S. Hassan.

READ: Saraki denies corruption charges

Hassan had filed the 13-count charge of corruption against Saraki on September 11.

READ: Saraki to appear before tribunal on September 18

The Senate President sent his lawyers to the tribunal to present a Federal High Court court judgment summoning the Ministry of Justice to explain why his trial should go on.

READ: FG seeks Saraki's arrest over absence at tribunal

The Ministry of Justice however said that Saraki “cannot sit in the comfort of his chamber and object to his trial in absentia”.

READ: 5 accusations made against Saraki since inauguration

The bench warrant for the Senate President’s arrest was subsequently issued by Justice Danladi Umar.

READ: EFCC declares Saraki's associate wanted

Saraki had earlier denied the allegations levelled against him and dismissed them as mischievous.