Senate President Bukola Saraki has lost another bid to stop the Code of Conduct Tribunal from trying him for alleged false declaration of assets.
Saraki, a member of the All Progressives Congress has been embattled by the allegations of falsity in the assets declaration form he filled while he was governor of Kwara state 13 years ago.
His trial, many infer, came to life as a result of his surprise political move to become the Senate President against the wishes of some national party leaders.
Saraki had lost his case at the Supreme Court – where he was contesting the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him for the alleged misconduct.
In another bid to escape the trial, Saraki had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja asking it to declare that the CCT infringed on his fundamental human rights and is not competent enough to try him for the alleged crime.
However, Justice Abdul Kafarati giving his ruling on the matter on Friday, April 15, dismissed Saraki’s suit stating that it lacked merit.
“It appears to me all that the applicant is trying to do is to stop his criminal trial at CCT. The CCT is a competent court to try the criminal matters.”
“This court cannot interfere with the case at the tribunal which has power to try cases. It is not appropriate for the applicant to approach this court. This case is hereby dismissed.”
Meanwhile, all hope is not lost for Saraki as a bill to amend the laws of the CCT and Code of Conduct Bureau, has passed second reading at the Senate floor.
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