NBA Begins Probe of Saraki's Lawyers for Walking-Out at CCT

Credible sources have confirmed that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is set to begin probe into the circumstances surrounding thee walk out by lawyers representing Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Thursday.

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) in Abuja that the association is interested in ascertaining what transpired at the tribunal. 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The lawyers, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) and Ahmed Raji (SAN), had withdrawn their services as lawyers for Saraki at his trial on allegation of false asset declaration before the tribunal.

They staged a walk out with junior lawyers who were 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 tribunal's decision 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.”

But many lawyers in Abuja are displeased with the walk out, describing it as a “disgrace to the bar”.