Emerging developments and trends characterizing the trial of the Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCB), has stirred outrage in the minds of many Nigerians.
On Monday, April 18, the trial resumed with the first prosecution witness alleging that Senator Saraki failed to declare his houses in the United Kingdom, as well as the upscale areas of Ikoyi, Lagos and Abuja.
Senator Saraki and some colleagues at a hearing of his asset declaration case.
According to reports, over 10 senators showed solidarity with the Senate president by accompanying him to the proceedings. This however, did not go well with some Nigerians, who believed that the lack of tasks to execute, is the reason for such exodus from the Nigerian upper chamber.
The Senators who attended the proceedings at the CCT with the Senate President on Monday included: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Kabir Gaya, Shabah Lafiaji, Samuel Anyanwu, Stella Oduah, Danjuma Goje, Dino Melaye, Ali Ndume and Tayo Alasoadura.
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Some senators who joined Senator Saraki to court to show him solidarity.
Infuriated Nigerians noted on social-media that it is totally wrong for the legislators to abandon their primary assignment as to spend over six hours in the courtroom on a daily basis. Some went as far as demanding that full publication of their names and faces be made to send a warning which will get them back to ‘their righteous minds’. Threatening that their act of solidarity is to the detriment of the nation, an act which could even cost them any chance at being re-elected.
Some Senators who joined Saraki to the CCT proceeding s on Monday, April 18.
It would be recalled that there was a report that a senator from the All Progressives Congress (APC) was allegedly attacked by irate youths on Saturday, April 16, in the Ningi area of his constituency.
Senator Isah Misau, who represents Bauchi Central district, was reportedly attacked because of his support for the embattled Senate President, a claim which he strongly denies.
Meanwhile, a civil society organisation known as Citizen for Defence of Democracy (CDD), on Tuesday, April 19, organised a mass protest at the CCT, demanding fairness in the ongoing trial of Saraki.
The protesters were seen playing drums while displaying banners with the inscription, ” Leave Saraki Alone”, “Nigerian Youths/Student to CCT, be courageous and strike out the charges against Saraki,” among others.
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Convener of the protest and National Coordinator of CDD, Tochukwu Ohazuruike, said Saraki was being subjected to persecution and not prosecution.
Daily Post reports that Ohazuruike wondered why the CCT Chairman ,Danladi Umar who is on administrative bail from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, would preside over saraki’s matter.
“Why would a man who was granted bail for corrupt practices by the same EFCC be allowed to preside over Saraki’s matter?”
Ohazuruike berated the tribunal Chairman for his action during Monday’s sitting.
He said: “At yesterday’s sitting, the Chairman of the tribunal was busy correcting the witness who was giving his testimony, this is unacceptable.
“I practice this same profession as the Chairman and the judge is not allowed to explain to the witness what to say.
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“Under the Inquisitory system of law, the judge can only ask the witness questions to indict him, but in the adversarial system which Nigeria practices, the judge is not allowed, he has to be independent,”
“We wonder the special interest in the Saraki’s matter.
“This tribunal has been sitting for years now, never has it been heard that the Chairman declared that a matter shall sit from 10am to 6pm”
Advocating for fair trial, Ohazuruike said: “This Chairman was recommended for prosecution by the last Attorney General, but the current one has shelved off that recommendation, why? And the same person is now presiding over Saraki’s matter, there is need for fairness in Nigeria’s judicial system.
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Uhazuruike further stated: “We are not saying he should not be tried but the judicial institution in Nigeria should be fair in its dealings especially this particular proceedings.”
Below are more photos from the protest just outside the CCT in Abuja.
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In the same vein, the Senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions on Monday, April 19, summoned the CCT chairman, Justice Danladi Umar over allegations of corruption against him.
The Nation reports that the summon which came hours after the judge ruled that Saraki’s trial would sit daily, asked Justice Umar to appear before the Senate committee “unfailingly” by 2pm on Thursday, bringing a new twist to the already sensationalised trial of the Senate president.
The invitation letter, signed by Freedom Odolo, the clerk of the committee was delivered to the CCT chairman shortly after he ruled that the tribunal will be sitting daily from 9am to 6pm.
The post Nigerians attack Senators for following Saraki to CCT, as supporters invade trial (photos) appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.
Nigerians attack Senators for following Saraki to CCT, as supporters invade trial (photos)
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