The chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Danladi Umar, has ordered that Senate President Bukola Saraki be arrested and made available for the next sitting of his trial on corruption charges.

Saraki is facing 13 count charges filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation regarding anticipatory declaration of assets, acquisition of properties above his means as a public officer, false declaration of assets, among others.

At the beginning of his trial on Friday, the Senate President failed to appear, prompting counsel to the federal government, M.S. Hassan, to ask the Tribunal to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Despite the objection to the application by Saraki’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, the tribunal chairman acceded to the prosecution’s request and ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest, detain and make the Senate President available at its next sitting on Monday, October 21, 2015, when the hearing proper is expected to begin.

Saraki’s spokesperson, Yusuf Olaniyonu, declined commenting on the matter and directed our reporter to speak with his principal’s lawyer who was still in court.