Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Mr Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal has again refused a strong request for one week adjournment in the criminal trial of Bukola Saraki, the President of Nigerian Senate, facing a 13 count charge of false assets declaration.
The Judge ruled that trial will continue day to day in accordance with stipulations of Administration of Criminal Justice Act and in conformity with his pronouncements yesterday.
The lead defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi and his partner, Paul Usoro made the request for adjournment just as the court was about to be adjourned for the day. The two senior lawyers said they needed more time to study some of the documents tendered in court and already accepted as exhibits.
They added that they needed time to study the documents to be able to effectively defend their client.
But the request was opposed by Rotimi Jacobs who argued that it is a ploy to ensure that the Tribunal ruling that trial should be day by day in accordance with ACJA was made null and void.
He also argued that the defence has all the documents and had indeed begun the cross examination of the witnesses. He therefore asked the court to refuse the request.
In rejecting the request, Justice Umar noted that the court has bent backwards to make all documents needed by the defence available to ensure fair hearing for their client .