CODE OF CONDUCT TRIBUNAL IS WORKING TOWARDS AN ANSWER!
It was reported last week that lawyers representing Bukola Saraki walked out of the CCT venue of his trial for false declaration of assets citing what one of them called the Tribunal's "judicial rascality". The lawyers had earlier asked the CCT to stay proceedings because of an appeal filed at the Supreme Court.
Let me say this clearly: the action of the SANs is condemnable and deserves appropriate sanction by the Bar. It not only denigrates the authority of a properly constituted judicial authority but also sets a bad example of indiscipline to younger counsel.
On the other hand, the decision of the CCT to proceed with the trial despite being seised of the pending appeal at the Supreme Court has clearly exposed the Tribunal as being on a set mission. One doesn't even need to be a lawyer to know that it is commonsensical that once an appeal has been filed (esp that challenging jurisdiction), the lower court should stay proceedings till the appellate court gives a ruling. Why the CCT decided to proceed baffles me but it's clear now that Bukola Saraki CANNOT get any justice from that Tribunal. They seem bent on nailing him at all costs without minding extant rules guiding the ancient profession.
Like many Nigerians, I call for a total divestment of the case from that CCT. Its Chairman (who himself has a corruption case to answer), has been proceeding with a lot of indecent haste like a man on a specific mission therefore the purposes of justice cannot be served through a warped process.
The Att-Gen's office can still bring criminal charges of perjury against Saraki in a High Court but to continue his prosecution in that same CCT will amount to using the instruments of state to settle political scores.
Civilization as we know it today is anchored on law and its elaborate mechanisms. If we lose the use of legal means to resolve the frictions, then it's Hobbes for all of us.
It is always alarming to hear of any attempt to either pervert justice or rubbish it. This civilization we have must not be taken for granted
By Ik Obi