By Tobi Soniyi
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Friday lost his bid to stop his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja okayed the powers of the tribunal to try him.
The court also held that the trial of Saraki was not in any way a breach of his fundamental human rights.
Saraki had approached the court seeking to enforce his fundamental human rights as provided by Chapter IV of the 1999 constitution.
Saraki also sought to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on ground that the it lacked jurisdiction to sit over the matter.
Saraki had also asked the court to quash the charge against him before the tribunal.
Delivering judgement in the suit, the trial judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati held that on careful perusal of Saraki’s application, it was meant to stop the on going trial at the CCT.
He further held that the CCT was competent to prosecute the applicant over assets declaration related issues.
Justice Kafarati noted that the applicant had earlier taken the same application to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and the judgements there were against him.
He also noted that Saraki had also argued the same issue before the tribunal and same was dismissed.
Justice Kafarati held that if he decided otherwise, his judgement would be in conflict with the earlier decision of the tribunal.
On the breach of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution, the court held that the trial had not in anyway breached the provision of the chapter and that the applicant could raise a no case submission after the prosecution had closed his trial.
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