How Presidency Intimidated Justice Kafarati to Dismiss Saraki's Suit

The Federal Government has been fingered in the CCT travails of Saraki which saw his appeal against his trial at the tribunal being thrown out.

Strong indications have shown that the judgement delivered by Justice AbdulKadir Kafarati at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the fundamental human right suit filed by embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki was influenced by the Presidency, according to Sahara Reporters Rescue.

A source who works at the FHC, Abuja confirmed to a reporter that the trial Judge, AbdulKadir kafarati, was 'sufficiently intimidated and blackmailed' by officials of the Presidency led by Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal.

The Judge was threatened with dsmissal from the bench if he dares uphold the prayers sought by counsels to Mr. Saraki, it was learnt.

According to the credible source, an influential politician from the SouthWest zone, who established contact with Justice Kafarati before delivering the judgement promised to help him lobby President Muhammadu Buhari for consideration and appointment as Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. Justice Ibrahim Auta is the present chief Judge of the Federal High Court. Reports say he has few years left before retirement.

The Judge dismissed the application filed by Mr. Saraki seeking the nullification of his ongoing trial aat the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.

Saraki's counsel, Prince Ajibola Oluyede had argued that the trial violated the right of the embattled Senate President to fair hearing.

"If I go ahead to grant the reliefs it will be in conflict with the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

"Given the above findings, I hold that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit because the reliefs are not available under Chapter 4 of the Constitution", the Judge ruled.

However, a senior lawyer who spoke with a reporter under condition of anonymity, queried why the Judge did not read the judgement on March 22 if the judgement he delivered on Friday was what he intended to deliver.

He raised suspicion about compromise on the part of the Judge, saying if he had deliver the Friday judgement on March 22, he would have used it to disprove allegations against him on the social media.

The source confirmed that the postponement of the ruling to midday by the trial Judge was to enable the Judge perfect consultations with the Presidency on the case.

He wondered why the trial Judge had to postpone judgement if all he had to read was a 15 minute judgement.