Senate President Bukola Saraki was slammed by the Federal Government with an additional three-counts of charge against him today. This brings the total number of charges against him to 16. Just as he did to the older charges, Saraki has pleaded not guilty to the new charges in the amended suit.
Counsel to Mr. Saraki, Paul Usoro, asked the court give his client a period of three weeks to adequately make arrangements for defense.
Objecting to the request, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said it is against the provisions of Section 218 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA)) 2015 to allow such a duration for the proposed adjournment.
He argued that Mr. Usoro has not shown any prejudice that will be of effect to his client if the cross-examination continues.
He stressed that the defense did not tell the court whether or not he had finished the cross-examination of the witness on the part of the charge that has not been amended.
After the arguments by the both parties, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, adjourned to May 10th for the continuation of the trial.