Date: 2016-11-09

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) yesterday adjourned the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki to January 11, 2017 for possible re-examination of the witness by the prosecution and continuation of trial.

While adjourning the matter, chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, said the tribunal would not continue with the case this year because of its busy schedule.

Saraki ended his 14-day long cross-examination of first prosecution witness, Michael Wetkast (an operative of EFCC) which had spanned over 5months.

The Senate President and two-term former governor of Kwara State is facing trial over alleged false and anticipatory declaration of assets before the CCT.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Saraki's counsel, Paul Usoro (SAN) announced that the defense had come to the end of the cross-examination of the witness after about 30minutes of further cross examination. He said the length of the cross-examination (which started since June) was not to buy time or delay proceedings but was dictated by the complexity of the case.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who was not present during the adjournment, expressed disappointed when he arrived at the end of the proceedings.

He said the long adjournment was illegal with reference to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and he will consider writing a letter to the tribunal on the matter.