The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has adjourned sine die (indefinitely) the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
The CCT wants to respect the appeals at the apex court before continuation of the trial.
Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, announced this in a bench ruling on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Saraki is being tried on three of the 18 counts of false declaration of assets filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Umar gave the bench ruling at the resumed trial, following the address of the Tribunal by the defence and prosecuting counsel.
He held that it was germane to await the decision of the Supreme Court on the appeals filed by both the Senate President and the Federal Government on the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
In his address, the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs urged the Tribunal to proceed with taking the final address from the parties in the suit.
He based his request on the fact that the defence had already opened and closed their case and the Tribunal had adjourned for the adoption of final addresses.
However, Counsel to the Senate President Kanu Agabi urged the Tribunal to be mindful of the dignity of the Supreme Court and prayed for an indefinite adjournment.
Agreeing with the defence counsel, the CCT chairman held that the Tribunal “has decided to tarry a while so that the integrity of Supreme Court would not be played with.”
“The Tribunal will adjourn this matter sine die pending the outcome of the appeals at the Supreme Court,” he added.
On Tuesday last week, the Tribunal had adjourned the case till March 8 to hear the final address by the parties in the suit and for its final judgment.
The parties will have to await the decisions of the Supreme Court to proceed with the rest of the trial.