Saraki Succumbs To CCT’s Order …Finally Takes ‘Not Guilty’ Plea

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, where he went to take a plea on the 13-count charge slammed on him over alleged false declaration of assets in Abuja, yesterday.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has compelled the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki, to mount the dock to answer to corruption charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.
Saraki, who initially refused to enter inside the accused box to enter his plea to the 13-count criminal charge against him, subsequently succumbed to the powers of the tribunal at exactly 11:24am.
In a ruling, the Justice Danladi Umar-led panel maintained that the accused must enter the dock.
Meanwhile, Saraki has already pleaded not guilty to count-10 of the charge, even though he took time to lecture the tribunal on the appropriate course of action it ought to have taken before docking him over alleged false declaration of assets.
He complained that he was never afforded the opportunity by the CCB to clarify whatever disparity it observed in the assets he declared while in office as the Governor of Kwara State.
Saraki, who addressed the court from the dock, said: “I am a firm believer of the rule of law. I have come here to subject myself before this tribunal. I strongly believe that I am here because I am the Senate President.
“I felt that the CCB should have called me. We have been hearing about new Nigeria but this is the first time this kind of thing is being done without following the due process. Nigerians are watching and the world is also watching. I will confirm myself to the due process. So as i stated, I want to say that I am not guilty”, Saraki stated.
Earlier, the trial, which stated at 10:32am, commenced on a dramatic note, with the accused person, refusing to mount the dock.
Following Saraki’s refusal to stand up as his case was mentioned, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Umar, demanded that he should leave his seat and enter inside the dock.
The Senate President, who was sandwiched by about 50 of his colleagues and friends inside the court, called the bluff of the tribunal by retaining his seat.
“Where is the prosecution, is the accused person here?”, Justice Umar, who was looking directly at Saraki from his vantage post, queried.
“Mr Lord, I cannot see him. I think the first thing is for him to enter the dock first, then, we will announce our appearances. After which the charge will be read to him”, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs submitted.
“With profound respect to the chairman and member of this tribunal, I agree with my learned brother that we should enter appearances first. The order of this tribunal was that the accused should be produced today. It was not for him to enter his plea. The case was earlier adjourned for mention”, counsel to Saraki, Mr. J.B. Daudu, insisted.
Daudu vehemently opposed the idea of Saraki entering the dock, relying on an Appeal Court decided case law in Igbeke vs FRN, 2015, 3 NWLR.
Meanwhile, the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), sitting in Abuja, has been adjourned to October 21.
Earlier, the trial of Dr.  Saraki took a dramatic turn when he refused to mount the dock.
Eventually, Saraki entered the dock and pleaded not guilty to the 13-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the federal government.
The Tribunal adjourned sitting to October 21, 2015.
In a related development, the Nigerian Senate yesterday declared its support for Senate President Bukola Saraki shortly after he was docked by the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Saraki, who is facing a 13-count charge before the tribunal, was granted bail on self-recognition.
“After the majority of us, Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, witnessed the appearance of our President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal this morning, we are happy that he appeared at the tribunal after availing himself of the opportunity to defend his fundamental human rights.
“We also want to state here, on behalf of our colleagues, that the Senate remains solidly behind Senator Saraki and we express our unalloyed support to his leadership,” a statement shortly after Saraki’s bail and signed by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba on behalf of the Eighth Senate, said.
“We reiterate the fact that he is our choice for the post of Senate President and no politically motivated, mischievous and vindictive trial will change our opinion of him.
“By his appearance at the tribunal, he has demonstrated his firm belief in the rule of law and his respect for our judicial process.
“We join Dr. Saraki in affirming our commitment to rule of law, constitutionalism and democracy.
“We only hope the other arms of government will ensure that due processes and procedures are followed in this trial and on all other issues.
“The Eighth Senate restates its commitment to the programmes and policies of the Buhari administration.
“It is our belief that at the end of this trial, our democracy, Nigerians and the people will end up as the beneficiaries. May God bless our country, Nigeria,” the statement added.