Saraki's counsel admits fear of final CCT judgment
Tue Jun 07, 2016 03:44:pm Politics
2.7K By Buchi Obichie
Saraki's lead counsel at the CCT, Kanu Agabi, SAN, admitted on Tuesday, that he was scared of the final judgment for Senate President Bukola Saraki.
He disclosed this after the Presiding Judge, Danladi Umar, cautioned Saraki's legal team on their manner of cross-examining the witness, Michael Wetkas.
Agabi asked for pardon and informed Justice Umar that they were not asking the witness questions to stall the trial; but are actually scared of the consequences, and worried about prejudice towards Saraki.
"We are actually afraid of the final consequences, we really are. And all that we are doing is because we are scared of the final consequences.
"Now it is time for us to disabuse the minds of the court. Please bear with us.
"We are not worried about the law. We are worried about the prejudice. We are not afraid of you,"he said.
Justice Umar had earlier complained that irrelevant questions were being asked by Saraki's lawyers during the cross-examination as a plot to stall the trial.
But he stated that despite whatever happens during the course of the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, the tribunal would still pass a fair judgment.
"All these are issues that you can ask; but when you are asking a witness, go straight to the point.
"You don't have to find your way of distorting the witness. This is delaying us.
"You are a senior lawyer. I don't want you to do that kind of tactics to delay the matter.
"Let us be assured that whatever happens, we are going to be fair; so do not be afraid," he said.
Saraki has been charged with 13 counts of false declarations of assets while he was the Governor of Kwara State, and has been undergoing trial at the CCT since September 22, 2015.
He disclosed this after the Presiding Judge, Danladi Umar, cautioned Saraki's legal team on their manner of cross-examining the witness, Michael Wetkas.
Agabi asked for pardon and informed Justice Umar that they were not asking the witness questions to stall the trial; but are actually scared of the consequences, and worried about prejudice towards Saraki.
"We are actually afraid of the final consequences, we really are. And all that we are doing is because we are scared of the final consequences.
"Now it is time for us to disabuse the minds of the court. Please bear with us.
"We are not worried about the law. We are worried about the prejudice. We are not afraid of you,"he said.
Justice Umar had earlier complained that irrelevant questions were being asked by Saraki's lawyers during the cross-examination as a plot to stall the trial.
But he stated that despite whatever happens during the course of the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, the tribunal would still pass a fair judgment.
"All these are issues that you can ask; but when you are asking a witness, go straight to the point.
"You don't have to find your way of distorting the witness. This is delaying us.
"You are a senior lawyer. I don't want you to do that kind of tactics to delay the matter.
"Let us be assured that whatever happens, we are going to be fair; so do not be afraid," he said.
Saraki has been charged with 13 counts of false declarations of assets while he was the Governor of Kwara State, and has been undergoing trial at the CCT since September 22, 2015.
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