Saraki’s Lawyer Walked Out On Tribunal

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki’s lawyers staged a walk out on the tribunal, even though 13-count criminal charge has been levelled against him.

Saraki’s legal team, comprising of three Senior Advocates of Nigeria and 24 lawyers, through their leader Mr. Mahmud Magaji, SAN, said they were not comfortable to take part in what they termed “judicial rascality”.

Mahmud’s position was also supported by another SAN in his team, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, who told the tribunal that it would be unfortunate ‎for references to be made in future that they, being senior members of the bar, took part in such proceeding.

“On behalf of the defence counsel, we find it most impossible to continue to sit here. We shall be seeking the indulgence of your lordships to withdraw our appearance”, Raji, added.

Meantime, Saraki has begged the tribunal to allow him to either persuade his legal team to come back into the matter, or to engage new lawyers to defend him.

Even though he urged the tribunal to grant him one month adjournment, the Justice Danladi Umar led panel adjourned the case till November 19 for the federal government to call witnesses against him.

Before adjourning the matter, Justice Umar berated Saraki’s legal team‎, saying “the action of the defence team smacked of disrespect”.

‎In it’s earlier ruling, the tribunal relied on the provision of section 305(e) of the newly enacted Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and held that it would not be in the interest of justice to allow the case against the Senate President to suffer an adjournment owing to the fact that he has an appeal before the Supreme Court.