The Federal Government, has filed fresh charges against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on alleged falsification of assets declaration between 2003 and 2015.
The fresh charge, which is the third in the series, was filed this Wednesday.
The Senate President, arrived for his trial, unaware, of what awaits him.
After exchanging the usual greetings with his lawyers and supporters, it was time to get down to the business of the day.
The 18 Count amended charge, was drawn to the attention of the code of conduct tribunal chairman, Umar Danladi, by the Lead counsel to Saraki, Kanu Agabi SAN.
Midway into the examination of the third witness, Samuel Madejumi, on the old charge, Agabi rose up and informed the tribunal that an amended charge has been brought against his client and that a copy of the charge has been delivered to him by the lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs.
Agabi claimed that the action of the prosecution, continuing the call of witnesses and conducting the trial, was in bad faith,when a fresh charge has been filed at the tribunal.
Agabi demanded suspension of the trial, on the ground that the fresh amended charge takes precedence over the old charge.
Jacobs while confirming the filing further amended charge on the other hand argued that he allowed the trial on the old charge to continue since the tribunal has already fixed Wednesday for continuation of trial.
Agabi subsequently applied for an adjournment to enable his client and the legal team, time to study the new charge and prepare the defense along with the new charge.
In his ruling, the tribunal chairman agreed that the defence needed time to study the amended charge and subsequently adjourned to the twenty third of February for re-arraignment and continuation of trial.
A counsel to Saraki, described the re-arraignment, as political but the counsel to the Federal Government, sees it differently.
