Tribunal Orders Sariki's Arrest

The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting
in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Police and other
relevant security agencies in the country to arrest
the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
In a ruling earlier today, the tribunal headed by
Justice Danladi Umar issued a bench warrant
against Saraki following what it said is his refusal
to appear in court to face a 13-count criminal
charge that was preferred against him by the
Federal Ministry of Justice.
FG had through a deputy director in the office of the
Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. M.S.
Hassan, asked the tribunal to order Saraki’s arrest.
Saraki who was billed for arraignment this morning,
sent his team of lawyers to serve the tribunal with a
copy of the ruling of Justice Ahmed Mohammed of
the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court,
yesterday, which summoned the Ministry of Justice
to appear on Monday to show cause why the trial
should be allowed to proceed.
Equally summoned by the court were the Chairman
of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar and that of the
Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Mr. Sam Saba, as
well as Mr. Hassan who signed the charge against
Saraki.
Meanwhile, irked by Saraki’s absence at the
tribunal for the commencement of his prosecution
over alleged false declaration of assets, the
Ministry of Justice prayed the Justice Umar-led
panel to order for his arrest, saying “he cannot sit in
the comfort of his chamber and object to his trial in
absentia”.
The prosecution further maintained that Justice
Mohammed lacked the powers to summon the CCT
and CCB chairmen, even as it accused Saraki of
engaging in “forum shopping” in a desperate bid to
scuttle his trial.
Meanwhile, Saraki has through his lawyer, begged
the tribunal to consider his position as the Senate
President and stay the execution of the arrest
warrant, saying he would be available for trial on
Monday.
His plea was refused by Justice Umar who
maintained that the accused person, having sworn
to protect the constitution, ought to have shown
respect to the tribunal by appearing before it today.