In his ruling, Justice Danladi Umar based the decision on provisions of sections 376 and 315 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.
“Let me state it here for both the prosecution and the defence that the trial of the defendant shall proceed on a day-to-day basis till the conclusion of this matter and it will begin from 10am to 6pm”, Justice Umar held.
According to him, the court would on each day of the trial, go on break at 1pm and 4pm.
READ ALSO: Oyegun’s Comment On Saraki, Ridiculous And Final Nail In APC’s Coffin – APC Chieftain
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Justice Umar stood down the matter for hearing by 12noon today, due to the absence of the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who was said to be handling another matter at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.
A lawyer that held brief for Jacobs, Mr. Gabriel Esegina, begged the court for an hour stand-down to enable his principal to personally conduct the trial.
The CCT Chairman, who initially rejected the application eventually acceded following pressure from both Esegina and Saraki’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.
“My lord I want to beg that you accede to the prosecution’s request for a stand-down. I understand their application even though they never understood mine”, Agabi said.