The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal has stalled following the filing of amended charges against him by the Federal Government.

Saraki is standing trial over allegations of false declaration of assets during his time as governor of Kwara State.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, the prosecution team, led by Rotimi Jacobs announced that it was adding two more charges to the 16-count charge earlier filed against the Senate President.

This was however opposed by the defence team which said it needed more time to study the charges so that the accused person could enter a plea.

In the amended charges, Saraki was alleged to have acquired properties at numbers 17a and 17b Mcdonald road, Ikoyi, Lagos on September 16, 2006,from the proceeds of sale of rice and sugar commodities.

While his asset declaration form indicates that the properties were paid for through a bank loan of N507 million obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank.

“My lord I think we should at this juncture bring to your notice the fact that we were served with an amended charge this morning,” said Kanu Agabi,counsel to Saraki.

“You cannot proceed further in the matter until the defendant pleads tothat amended charge.

Jacobs, in his response said that the issue need not disrupt the proceedings of the day.

“My lord amendment can be done anytime even after their own defence, before judgment is delivered.

“Moreover we are not bringing anything new. The new charge is just the old wine in a new bottle”, he argued.

Having listened to arguments for and against the continuation of the trial, Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar,  adjourned the case to February 23, 2017 to enable Saraki take a fresh plea based on the further amended charge.

It would be recalled that the Senate President was first docked on September 22, 2015, on a 13-count charge which was later amended to 16 counts on April 28, 2016.