Embattled senate president, Bukola Saraki on Monday got a temporary reprieve when the Federal High Court Abuja restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other agencies from probing him over corruption allegations.
Mr. Saraki on Friday filed two separate fundamental rights enforcement suits before the court to challenge the decision of the EFCC to seize his houses.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo based on Saraki’s exparte application, and after hearing Saraki’s lawyer Sunday Onubi, ordered the anti-corruption body and the other five respondents to the suit to stay action on the probe pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicant.
The six respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), Department of State Services, Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission and Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Justice Taiwo said he granted Saraki’s prayers to avert a situation where the court would be faced with a situation of fait accompli, adding that granting the order was in line with a settled principled of law that once a suit was filed, all parties to it must refrain from taking any action capable of rendering the suit nugatory.
He adjourned further hearing till May 23, 2019 when the respondents will have an opportunity to challenge the ex parte order.
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