Saraki’s CCT Trial: Agabi Absent In Court

As Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki faces his substantive trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Tuesday, his lead Counsel and former Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi was surprisingly absent.
Chief Agabi and a team of 80 defence lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try Saraki through a motion he filed at the CCT, but lost the case in a ruling which was delivered by Justice Danladi Umar last week.
Consequently, the Prosecuting counsel sought immediate commencement of substantive trial so as not to foot-drag the matter that had been delayed in the last six months over what he termed frivolous motions and counter motions. But in his submission, Agabi pleaded that the matter be fixed for hearing at a later date.
Justice Umar had at Chief Agabi’s request fixed 5th and 6th April, 2016 for proper hearing to enable parties prepare adequately.
Meanwhile, the Senate President and few other senators arrived the Court at exactly 9:55 am.
Confirming Kanu Agabi’s absence, a lawyer among his team said he would be unavoidable absent at the day’s hearing, though another senior lawyer, Barrister Mahmood Magaji SAN was present.