Abuja: Nigeria's Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal by senate president Bukola Saraki to stop his corruption trial, paving the way for one of the country's most senior politicians to be prosecuted for graft.
After failing to win an appeal at a lower court in October, Saraki had turned to the Supreme Court in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, in a last-ditch attempt to scupper proceedings.
But the Supreme Court judge rejected Saraki's argument that the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), a body that deals with corrupt bureaucrats, lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.
"I find no merit in the appeal which is accordingly dismissed," Supreme Court judge Walter Onnoghen said in a ruling unanimously endorsed by the seven-judge panel.
Saraki was not in court, but his lawyer Saka Isau said his client would "submit himself for trial" at the tribunal.
Saraki, a physician and former banker, is widely viewed as Nigeria's third most senior politician after President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
He was initially arraigned before the CCT in September last year on allegations including false declaration of assets while serving as governor of the western state of Kwara from 2003 to 2011.
He is accused of buying real estate he did not declare with stolen public money. Saraki denies the charges.
The case is a litmus test for Buhari, who came to power last year vowing to crack down on corruption.
Several high-profile people are currently standing trial as part of a wider drive to tackle endemic corruption in Nigeria, Africa's largest crude producer and biggest economy.
AFP
