Assets Declaration:  Saraki’s Appeal Suffers Another Setback

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has suffered another setback on the suit he filed challenging the jurisdiction of the Justice Danladi Umar-led Code of Conduct Tribunal to try him.The setback was said to have been caused by the ill health of his lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN). The Court of Appeal on Monday could not hear the case; this was due to the inability of the Justices to form the constitutionally required quorum. It will be recalled that the president of the Nigeria senate, Saraki in his appeal, is challenging the jurisdiction of the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal to try him on the 16-count criminal charge, preferred against him by the federal government. This was based on the development, the presiding Justice, Moore Adumein adjourned further hearing to Thursday, June 2, 2016. However, on June 2 at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, there was a letter from Agabi, which was  transmitted to the presiding Judge, Justice Abdul Aboki, seeking an adjournment on account of his ill-health. The application went unopposed by the respondent’s counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacob (SAN).  Aboki said, “In view of the letter sent to this panel from the applicant’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, seeking adjournment on account of ill health and since this prayer is not opposed, the court will grant it. The hearing of the appeal is hereby adjourned until July 18’’.