BREAKING: Saraki loses as Appeal Court clears way for corruption trial

 

 

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, seeking to quash corruption charges brought by the Code of Conduct Bureau against him.

The appeal court ruled Friday, upholding the authority of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to try Mr. Saraki.

Mr. Saraki is facing a 13-count charge of alleged false declaration of assets and corruption.

He denies the charges.

Mr. Saraki had challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal and had asked the Court of Appeal to nullify the trial which is set to begin in November.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the “The CCT is a court of criminal jurisdiction, albeit limited jurisdiction”.

It added: “There is no inherent difference between a court and a tribunal. The only difference is that tribunals in most cases handle special cases”.

The three-member panel of judges, led by Moore Adumein, also affirmed that the tribunal was properly constituted- another kernel of Mr. Saraki’s suit.