Senate President Saraki Must be Tried for Corruption by the Code Of Conduct Tribunal - Supreme Court Rules

The Supreme Court has rejected Senate President, Bukola Saraki appeal challenging the decision of the Appeal Court which upheld his trial at the tribunal.  The 7-man panel at the Supreme Court ruled that  he will face trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).              
Prior to the determination of Mr. Saraki's appeal, a stay of proceeding was ordered by the Tribunal on December 4, 2015, by a three-judge panel of the Supreme Court led by a retiring Justice John Fabiyi. The court also asked counsel on both sides to submit their briefs of argument within 14 days. The court then fixed February 5, 2016, to deliver its judgement.          

Earlier a panel of Nigeria's Court of Appeal had in a split decision, affirmed the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try Mr. Saraki.

However, Mr Saraki appealed to the Supreme Court arguing that the CCT lacks the jurisdiction to try him. His lawyers argue that the tribunal was not duly constituted as it comprised two instead of three members provided for by the Constitution. Also, the embattled Senate President's lawyers claim that the charges against Mr. Saraki were not competent.