CSNAC calls for Saraki’s speedy trial

A rights group, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), on Sunday called on the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to speed up its adjudication process in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.

In a petition sent to the Tribunal’s chairman and signed by the coalition’s chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC said frivolous adjournment in a criminal trial is a violation of the provisions of the law.

“In a bid to hasten the dispensation of justice through speedily bringing criminals to book thereby checkmating the rise of crime in the society, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was enacted in May 2015 to provide the much needed change to the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. In view of this, the Act provides for the day to day trial of criminal matters.

“Though, the Act provides for short adjournment intervals where necessary, it also stipulates that the court may award reasonable costs in order to discourage frivolous adjournments. Furthermore, in order to achieve its aim of speedy dispensation of justice, the Act also completely bans any application for stay of proceedings in respect of criminal matters,” the group stated.

The group stated further that, “From the foregoing, it is evident that a new dawn has begun in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.

“The trial of the Senate President before the Code of Conduct Tribunal is a criminal matter which is subject to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. In view of this, the unwarranted adjournment of the matter by the tribunal without recourse to the provisions of the Act ought to be challenged,” the statement reads.

“The tribunal and all courts must desist from frivolously adjournment in criminal trial and ensure that such matters are speedily completed,” the statement added.