Following
the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, to commence
full-blown hearing on the 13-count criminal charge against the Senate
President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, despite the pendency of the appeal before
the Supreme Court, all his lawyers,
this afternoon, staged a walk out on
the tribunal.
Saraki’s legal team, comprising of three Senior Advocates of Nigeria
and 24 lawyers, through their leader Mr. Mahmud Magaji, SAN, said they
were not comfortable to take part in what they termed “judicial
rascality”.
Mahmud’s position was also supported by another SAN in his team, Mr.
Ahmed Raji, SAN, who told the tribunal that it would be unfortunate for
references to be made in future that they, being senior members of the
bar, took part in such proceeding.
“On behalf of the defence counsel, we find it most impossible to
continue to sit here. We shall be seeking the indulgence of your
lordships to withdraw our appearance”, Raji, added.
Meantime, Saraki has begged the tribunal to allow him to either
persuade his legal team to comeback into the matter, or to engage new
lawyers to defend him.
Even though he urged the tribunal to grant him one month adjournment,
the Justice Danladi Umar led panel adjourned the case till November 19
for the federal government to call witnesses against him.