CCT trial: Saraki's 90 Lawyers Cause Confusion In Court

The trial of the Senate President Bukola Saraki on a 16-count charge of false assets declaration resumed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal today with controversy over how many of the over 90 lawyers representing the defendant can speak for him and cross examine the first prosecution witness, Micheal Wetkas.


The prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had immediately after Kanu Agabi, SAN, the lead defence counsel, told the court that Paul Erokoro, SAN, another member of the defence team will continue the cross examination of the witness, rose up in protest.

The prosecution counsel who had earlier expressed the hope that the defence will end the cross examination of the witness which has been on for about four days, argued that though the defendant may have many lawyers, only one counsel is entitled to speak for him at a time.

 He further told Mr. Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the Tribunal that he should not give opportunity for the defendant to uses many “voices” in the cross examination.

 “My submission is that a party is only entitled to one audience in one proceedings. A counsel who start a cross examination should conclude it.

The fact that the defendant has four SANS does not mean each of them should do it. Not that one when person is tired another person will take over. It (the cross examination) will be endless.

But Erokoro opposed him arguing that there is no law that limits the number of counsel that a party can use in a case. He argued that it is for the very reason that a counsel may get tired that the law allows a party to a case to have many counsel.

 Erokoro described the request by the prosecution that the defence should end its cross examination of the first prosecution witness today as absurd stressing that they will not allow themselves to be rushed. “We are going to take our time and do the case properly. We will not be rushed; we will not be stampeded. If the prosecution doesn’t like it, he should withdraw some of the exhibits. We are going to take the court through all the exhibits,” said Erokoro.