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| Senate President: Bukola Saraki. |
Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday failed to stop his arraignment scheduled for today, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja refused his application for an ex-parte order restraining the CCT, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from proceeding with his planned arraignment today, on a 13-count charge.
The office of the AGF had on September 11, filed a charge against Saraki before the CCT, accusing him of committing, offences ranging from anticipatory declaration of assets, making false declaration of assets in forms filed before the CCB while he was governor of Kwara State, among others.
He is also accused of failing to declare some assets he acquired while in office as governor; operating foreign accounts while he was still a governor and senator -- against the laws of Nigeria -- and acquiring assets beyond his legitimate earnings.
Saraki's arraignment slated for Friday will proceed as planned after he failed in his effort to obtain a court injunction to restrain the Federal Ministry of Justice, CCB, and CCT.
The Judge directed that the respondents be put on notice and to appear before the court on Monday to show cause why Saraki’s application, as contained in his ex-parte motion, should not be granted.
He further directed that the respondents be served with all the court processes, including the motion of notice for interim order or injunction, motion ex-parte and a hearing notice.
The Senate President's effort to stop the arraignment is hinged on the provisions of Section 24 of the CCB and Tribunal Act, which says it is the AGF or any officer directed by the AGF that must initiate charges against him (Saraki).
Saraki argues that “in the absence of any substantive AGF in the time being, this court has the jurisdiction to direct parties to maintain status quo, pending the hearing of the motion on notice”.
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