A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the application by the embattled President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, seeking nullification of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct  Tribunal, CCT.

Delivering judgement in the matter, Justice Abdul Kafarati held that the Tribunal is empowered by the Nigerian Constitution to try criminal cases and this should not be interfered with by court of law.

The ruling means the former governor of Kwara State’s prosecution for false asset declaration already commenced can go ahead.

“It appears to me all that the applicant is trying to do is to stop his criminal trial at CCT. The CCT is a competent court to try the criminal matters.

“This court cannot interfere with the case at the tribunal which has power to try cases,” the judge ruled, adding that the Senate President ought not to have approached the court.

Justice Kararati was due to rule on the case on March 22 but disqualified himself citing an online report, not by the www.icirnigeria.org, which he said questioned his integrity.

He subsequently said he was referring the case to the chief judge for assignment to another judge. The chief judge, Ibrahim Auta, however, persuaded him to deliver the judgement.

Saraki’s tenacious bid to stop his trial has seen him go from the Appeal Court, Federal High Court to Supreme Court, all to no avail. All the courts have either asked him to face his trial or ruled that the CCT is legally permitted to prosecute criminal cases.