Proceedings in the trial ended abruptly after 26 lawyers representing Saraki stormed out of the tribunal citing the tribunal’s refusal of their application to suspend the trial.
NBA General Secretary, Mr Afam Osigwe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that the association is interested in ascertaining what transpired at the tribunal before taking a position.
He said:“We got different accounts in the media and would need the correct details to allow the NBA to react from an informed position.
“From the accounts we got through the media some said the lawyers walked out while others said they withdrew
“So, due to the inconsistent choice of words, we cannot speak on the matter until we get the full and accurate details.”
The lawyers, Messrs Mahmud Magaji (SAN) and Ahmed Raji (SAN), had withdrawn their services as lawyers representing Saraki at his trial on allegation of false asset declaration before the tribunal.
They had also staged a walk out with the junior lawyers who appeared with them before the tribunal concluded the case.
The lawyers openly announced their withdrawal following their perceived dissatisfaction with the ruling of the tribunal on their application for stay of proceedings.
They said that they were displeased with the decision of the tribunal refusing the application to stay proceeding in the trial pending the determination of an appeal they filed before the Supreme Court.
Specifically, Magaji had said: “This is a judicial rascality and I cannot be part of this process. I therefore withdraw my representation as the respondent’s counsel.”
Speaking in same vein, Raji said: “We have pending application before the supreme court.
“I believe that in the hierarchy of court we have the tail and the head and the tail cannot dictate for the head as we have seen here.
“I also withdraw my services as lawyer to the respondent.”
A cross section of lawyers in Abuja are displeased with the walk out describing it as a “disgrace to the bar”.
Mr Nnanna Oketa said young lawyers were highly disappointed with the conduct of the senior advocates, adding that the action was more political than judicial.
“The truth is that what transpired yesterday (Thursday) at the Code of Conduct Tribunal is to say the least degrading of our profession; it was terrible and should not be associated with lawyers.
“Lawyers are expected to conduct themselves appropriately with the highest level of decorum when they are in court.
That is not how we are trained and we hope that does not happen again.
“The truth is that, if your prayer is not granted by the court, there is a window of appeal if you are not comfortable with the ruling of the court,” he said.
Oketa stressed that lawyers and citizens alike must be properly guided by the rules of court in their conduct before the court and a judge.
Another legal practitioner, Mr Anthony Ekuma, said the action of the senior lawyers was “most unruly”.
“What they have done is a violation of Section 30 of the Rules for Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 as amended.
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