Skip to main content

Lack of quorum stalls Saraki’s case at court of appeal

Senator Bukola Saraki

Senator Bukola Saraki

Hearing in an appeal by the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on the jurisdiction of Code of Conduct Tribunal to try him was stalled at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The matter could not proceed because of the inability of the justices of the court to form a quorum.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Moor Adumien, who led two other justices, said it was impossible for the court to sit on the matter with only three justices.

“The court is unfortunately encumbered this morning on this appeal because we cannot form a quorum.

“We had earlier stood the matter down with the expectation that two of our other brother justices could join us but that did not happen.

“In the light of this, we seek the understanding of parties to adjourn the hearing of the appeal till June 2,’’ he said.

Saraki is challenging the jurisdiction of CCT to hear the charges of false and anticipatory asset declaration and Money Laundering brought against him.

Saraki had approached the appellate court challenging the March 24 ruling of the tribunal that it had jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Saraki’s earlier appeal aimed at ending his trial was dismissed by the Supreme Court on February 5.

The apex court had in that decision ordered Saraki to submit himself for trial at the tribunal.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...