His lawyer’s bid to stop him from taking his pleas at the tribunal failed and he was asked to mount the dock at exactly 11:25am.
Saraki is facing a 13-count charge bordering on alleged false declaration of assets.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Senate president, who was sandwiched by his colleagues and friends inside the court, at first called the bluff of the tribunal by retaining his seat.
“Where is the prosecution, is the accused person here?” Justice Danladi Umar, who was looking directly at Saraki from his vantage position, queried.
“Mr Lord I cannot see him. I think the first thing is for him to enter the dock first, then we will announce our appearances. After which the charge will be read to him”, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) submitted.
“With profound respect to the chairman and member of this tribunal, I agree with my learned brother that we should enter appearances first. The order of this tribunal was that the accused should be produced today. It was not for his to enter his plea. The case was earlier adjourned for mention”, counsel to Saraki, Joseph Daudu (SAN), insisted.
Daudu vehemently opposed the idea of Saraki entering the dock, relying on an Appeal Court decided case law in Igbeke vs FRN, 2015, 3 NWLR.
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