The unfolding scenario in the trial of the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki is taking an interesting episode in the Nigeria's political soap opera. I can't but air my opinions once again considering the level of sentiments flying about in this celebrated trial.

After various efforts made by the heir of Kwara political dynasty to stop the prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, finally he became 'lord of the ring', like others in the past. In as much as it is agreed that an accused person is not guilty until he is found guilty by a competent court of law, the body language towards trial often speculate the psychological state of an accused person.

On Tuesday 22nd September, when Senator Saraki was docked at the accused box of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, he was seen obviously nervous and uncomfortable. Yes, never was it comfortable for anyone guilty or not guilty. However, there is the need to beam searchlight on this matter that has suddenly taken flight from the reality in the public perception, and from different schools of thoughts.

Saraki, like every other person has the right to defend himself in the court. However, what his seemingly usual practice of running to a court of higher jurisdic­tion to stop his trials by the lower court (where obviously the trial of an accused person supposed to com­mence) is quite logical and cynical. As Nigeria's Senate President who is not covered by immunity, stretching his trial by means of out-of-court defensive mechanism has labelled him as trying to be too smart towards evading trials, the consequences of which might ignite forceful implementation of trial, often with little or no mercy at that climax.

The trial of Charles (I) was one of the most momen­tous events and Stuart ever to have taken place in the history of England. Following the end of the Civil War Charles I was brought to trial in Westminster Hall on 20 January 1649. The King's trial was proclaimed to the sound of trumpets and drums, at the south end of the Hall.

Bringing the King through a large crowd at the north was too great a risk; on the other hand, it was important that the trial be held in public. The court was divided from the public by a wood partition from wall to wall, backed by railings, and guards were stationed on the leads. The King appeared before his judges four times, charged with tyranny and treason. The exchanges always took a similar form with the King challenging the court's authority and its right to try him.

The peculiar nature of the trial reflects not simply the fact that a King was on trial but that both the King and his judges took their stand on what are still crucial principles - the King on his right to trial by a properly constituted court acting on the basis of established law, and his accusers on the need to call to account a King they had described as a tyrant who shed the blood of his people. The King's persistence disconcerted the judges, but there was little doubt about the outcome, and the death sentence was proclaimed on 27 January.

The prosecution process is simple: appear and state your side of the story. If clean, the public will know when the law is being manipulated to suppress an accused person. Persistent attempt at avoiding being tried is a case study.

In Nigeria's history, high profile personalities have appeared before the CCT. As it is, CCT prosecution is streamlined, so no serious argument, once the accused is free of financial mess. No too much logic is required.

To those making mountain out of the trial, it must be noted that Saraki's trial started with Jonathan's admin­istration, not even the Buhari government. I am looking for witch-hunt in the process but it is obscure. When Jonathan opened corruption case against Saraki then, it was not witch-hunt to the PDP commentators, particularly the party's spokesperson, Chief Olisa Metuh because Saraki was in the PDP with Jonathan then. Such is the politics here!

It should also be taken into account that Saraki was being tried in Jonathan's era as former Governor of Kwara State just as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was tried as former Governor of Lagos State. Even as member of opposition to the sitting government trying him, Bola Tinubu never stopped the CCT prosecution. He went-in and came out vindicated of the charges levelled against him.

If Saraki is to fall, he is not going to be the first legislative giant to suffer decline of fate; Salisu Buhari, Adolphus Wabara and Patricia Etteh were heads of parliament who came down the ladder of power on account of corrupt practices. Besides the parliamentarians, there have been other lords of the ring in the CCT box.

Saraki should be seen in the light of a free man and not guilty of all accusations levelled against him. In fact, he is a free man undergoing trial. Many cases which were opened in the era of Goodluck Jonathan without meaningful conclusion were being re-visited by the 'new Sheriff in town'. "We will get there" is the popular slogan in the mouth of Nigerians who are wait­ing to see justice for the poor.

For the fear of becoming lord of the ring someday in the CCT box, the mischief makers have started con­demning Buhari's administration for opening up aban­doned cases and trials; but we will get there!

The Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP was fast to con­demn Saraki's trial. The fear is obvious. If a man can land six strokes of cane on his child's buttock, another man's child better be careful. There were too many cases of oppression against the people but which were buried under the carpet in the last administration. It be­came a regular practice of the GEJ government that the President himself proclaimed openly that "stealing was not corruption" after all. What a shame!

Now that stealing has been properly defined as cor­ruption, we must decide what kind of nation we want. Indiscipline is the bedrock of corrupt practices and other foul plays by public office holders. The parliament which is the law making institution cannot be seen lit­tered with personalities that are contrary to our legisla­tive integrity. Come to think of it, the Senate President is under trial for stealing; the Deputy Senate President has a case of forgery in court; Senate Majority Leader has a case of sponsoring terrorism in court and Senate Minority Leader under the guise of stage-managed ac­cident ran out of the country two days before he was billed to testify at the electoral tribunal for electoral fraud. What kind of upper parliament is in place for Nigerians? Law-makers or Law-breakers?

Whoever sees Akpabio should tell him to come home because all is well. No matter how fast the night can run, the daylight will surely overtake it. Fayose should continue to insult the President in the guise of playing opposition role, the good news is that he cannot be in the ruling again. Wait, we missed the Kogi Senator who was following Saraki's wife to the tribunal in dark glasses the other time, saying Tinubu started pursuing him sometimes ago. I can feel a silence in town. The noise from the powerful political actors in time past has sud­denly gone down; I think everyone now cares for their individual fate more. We will get there is the peoples' song!

If anyone is still living in the euphoria of a Tinubu versus Saraki in the current subject, tell the fellow that, Tinubu is not from Kwara and he never petitioned the CCT from 2007 when Saraki left office as Governor of Kwara State. Did Tinubu also ordered the stoning of Saraki in Ilorin? The bitter truth is that the people cannot be manipulated for too long. As it is now, if some people are unable to impregnate their wives success­fully, it must be Tinubu that is behind it. But for now, it is the State versus Bukola Saraki; it is high time we all settle down for business sincerely and detach all sentiments around Bola Tinubu who is living his dream; let everyone find theirs and strive for a greater cause.

Stella Oduah is not talking in the Senate, but I won­der if Tinubu didn't cause that. Let the former Aviation Minister keeps talking until Sheriff calls her case file. Everyone should know that power alone does not guar­antee respect and peace of mind as giving good gover­nance to the people who are the ultimate owners of the mandates we use as powerful congressmen. Above all, I know quite well 'we will get there'!

Olulade is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe Constituency II