The full story of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, wen he finally entered the dock on Tuesday at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja where he was arraigned on 13-counts for false assets declaration charges.
The senate president Dr Saraki arrived at the tribunal at 9.20am in company with many senators, beating by 40 minutes the 10am deadline the judge had set for the Inspector General of Police to provide the him.
From the dock said that Bukola Saraki claimed that he was hearing about the charges against him for the first time, saying he ought to have been invited and briefed by the CCB as the Senate President...
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He pleaded not guilty to all the 13 charges slammed on him by the Code of Conduct Bureau and his trial has been scheduled to hold on October 21, 22 and 23.
Saraki appeared after two courts had refused his request that the proceedings at the CCT be stopped.
While speaking, he said, “I am the Senate President and I have respect for the rule of law. Mr. Chairman, I observed that they have made reference to the good work the Senate has done in the administration of criminal justice. If there is an allegation of false declaration of assets, the Code of Conduct Bureau shall refer the person involved to the tribunal after giving the person an opportunity to explain if the facts are true. But in this case, I was not given the opportunity.
“I thought the CCB should have called me and given me the right to fair hearing. I am hearing about the charges for the first time. We are all here and the whole world is watching when we said we are in new Nigeria. I want to state here that I am not guilty.”
After listening to arguments of all parties, Justice Danladi Umar held that the tribunal had the jurisdiction to compel the Senate President to not only appear in person but to also be moved to the dock.
He said, “It is in the view of the tribunal that the trial before it is criminal in nature and it has jurisdiction over criminal matters, the defendant should therefore proceed to the dock.”
Saraki was granted bail in self recognition and the full trial will now commence on October 21.
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