Saraki in court as lawyers walk out on tribunal

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Counsels to the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki on Thursday staged a walkout at the tribunal, after the Code of Conduct Tribunal insisted on going ahead with its sitting.

The lawyers had argued that the tribunal should have stayed proceedings since the case was pending before the Supreme Court.

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.

Source: Vanguard