Justice Jega's Death, Stalls Saraki's Judgement

The lawsuit instituted by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the Court of Appeal in Abuja challenging the charges of ‘false’ assets declaration levelled against
him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has been stalled due to the death of the presiding judge of the Abuja Division, Justice Abubakar Abdulkadir Jega in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

The late Justice Jega died in the tragic stampede which led to the death of over 750 persons and injured over 900 others.

The court clerk informed the people who had already arrived in the court ON Tuesday that the case had been postponed for one week to give the justices and staff of the appellate court time to mourn their dead colleague.

Justice Jega and Justice Musa Hassan Alkali were among the 56 Nigerian pilgrims who lost their lives in the stampede during the symbolic hajj ritual of stoning the devil at the Jamarat Bridge in Mina.

The Court of Appeal, while refusing the ex-parte application filed by Saraki to set aside the bench warrant and order for his arrest issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) penultimate Monday, had adjourned till Tuesday.

Saraki had through his counsel, Adebayo Adelodun (SAN), prayed the appellate court for an order to stay execution of the ruling of the tribunal delivered on September 18 ordering the Senate president’s arrest.

However, the three-member panel of the appellate court presided over by Justice Moore Adumein, had held that even though the court has the general power to make an interim order or grant any injunction, for the court to exercise such power, the application for interim order shall be by motion on notice.

Despite the postponement in the appellate court, the Federal High Court in Abuja will today hear the preliminary objections along with the substantive matter of the ex parte motion, which Saraki brought before the lower court.