The trial of Senator Bukola Saraki, Nigeria’s Senate President on a 13 count charge of false assets declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, suffered another delay today, the second day in a row.
The continuation of the trial was scheduled for 12 noon. But as at 12.55 pm, the trial was yet to begin.
The Court room was already filled to capacity ahead of the commencement of the riveting trial.
The Senate President, who is the accused and his fellow senators, political associates and hirelings have taken up most of the seats, as they await the Tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar.
Also, security has been beefed up at the venue, with armed operatives of Department of State Security Services manning all entrances to the premises as well as the court room of the Tribunal.
Rotimi Jacobs, the lead prosecuting counsel as well as Kanu Agabi, the defence counsel and their team of lawyers are already in court waiting for the Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar to come in so that proceedings can commence.
The defence lawyer is expected to continue the cross exmination of the first prosecution witness, Micheal Wetkas at today’s proceedings.
Mr. Umar had indicated yesterday that the proceedings may drag on till 6 pm and will be conducted day to day till the end of the trial.
The senate had yesterday invited Mr. Umar to attend an investigative hearing by Senate Committee on ethics and Public petitions on Thursday, a move many believed was intended to break the chains of the proceedings and embarrass Umar.
This was after Mr. Umar refused the request of the defence team to adjourn trial to enable Saraki preside over the Senate
Mr. Umar has pointedly told the lawyers that Saraki and not the Senate is on trial and the Senators can stay back in their chamber to conduct sitting instead of accompanying him to court.
Umar also wrote back to the Senate indicating that he is busy with the trial.
It will be interesting to see if the issue of Senate committee on ethics invitation will come up in the court room today.
*Update: The trial started at 1.40 pm.