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CCT: Court Rules On Saraki’s Appeal, Today
The Court of Appeal will today deliver judgment in the appeal filed by Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, challenging his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
Saraki is facing trial at the CCT on charges of alleged false declaration of his assets.
Justice Moore Adumein, who led two other justices of the court, fixed today for judgment after entertaining arguments from counsel to parties in the suit.
At the hearing, counsel to Saraki, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN) raised five major issues for determination by the court.
Daudu averred that the CCT erred in law by proceeding with the trial of his client with two members instead of the mandatory three members as provided by the Constitution.
“The composition of the tribunal during the trial of my client violated paragraphs 15(1) of the 1999 Constitution by sitting with two members instead of three.
“My Lord we are seeking the court’s understanding to nullify the CCT proceedings of last month due to lack of quorum,’’ he said.
Daudu further held that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to try criminal matter which formed part of the charges.
He objected to the arguments of Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) Counsel to the Federal Government on the Interpretation Act.
He, therefore, urged the court to discountenance the prosecution’s argument that the Act could be used to resolve the constitutional logjam since the Constitution was silent on the quorum for membership of the tribunal.
Daudu insisted that the Interpretation Act could not override the Constitution being the supreme law.
“To ask that the Act of Interpretation be used to override constitutional provision is wrong and unheard off.
“That in itself will amount to product of misinterpretation because the Constitution is the supreme law and not an Act,’’ he argued.
The counsel also argued that the tribunal was wrong in assuming criminal jurisdiction against the Senate President when it was not a superior court of record.
Daudu, who cited several authorities, submitted that the tribunal could not assume concurrent jurisdiction with the Federal High Court, adding that the tribunal was by law inferior.
He, therefore, urged the appeal court to nullify the proceedings of the tribunal against Saraki and set aside criminal charges filed against him.
On his part, the prosecution urged the appellate court to dismiss the arguments advanced by the applicant’s counsel for lacking in merit.
Jacobs held that the Constitution was silent on the quorum of membership of the tribunal in handling of cases.
He urged the court to invoke the Interpretation Act to resolve the issue in favour of the respondent.
The respondent’s counsel also submitted that the tribunal had criminal jurisdiction because of the use of words like “guilty” and “punishment” in the law that established it.
The presiding Judge struck out an application by Saraki praying for a stay of further proceedings at the tribunal.
The Judge said the court was compelled to do that because the grounds on which the prayers rested had been overtaken with the hearing of the substantive matter.
“On the whole, the court has listened to all the issues raised; therefore, ruling is fixed for October 19,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr Umar Danladi had assumed jurisdiction on the matter.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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