The Code of Conduct Tribunal has refused to take into consideration the Senate President’s plea to sit during days that do not clash with his official duties.
Justice Danladi Umar, while warning against frivolous requests for adjournment by the prosecution and defence lawyers, says the trial would now hold daily from 10am to 6pm.
TVC News Sumner Sambo reports that the trial started at 12 noon following the granting of a request for a one-hour delay by the prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs’ due to another court engagement.
When the trial started, prosecution witness Michael Wetkas alleged that Senate President Bukola Saraki bought three government houses instead of one approved for public servants by the Federal Government housing committee.
Wetkas also alleged that a N375,000,000 loan collected by Saraki for purchase of property was not declared in his 2011 assets declaration forms.
After ending his testimony, Wetkas was briefly cross-examined by Saraki’s lawyer who immediately requested a long term adjournment to peruse admitted exhibits that he said were new to them.
Saraki’s plea for CCT’s reversal of its order on daily hearing of the case led to arguments between both counsel but the judge insisted on adjourning to Tuesday April 19 at noon.
