Trial saraki ekweremadu stalls

You're referring to the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on charges of false declaration of assets and corruption.

Here's a brief update on the trial:

Background: In 2015, Saraki and Ekweremadu were charged by the Federal Government with 18 counts of false declaration of assets and corruption. The charges were filed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja.

Trial: The trial began in 2015, but it has been marked by several delays and setbacks. In 2017, the CCT acquitted Saraki of the charges, citing lack of evidence. However, the Federal Government appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial.

In 2019, the trial resumed at the CCT, with Saraki and Ekweremadu facing new charges. The prosecution presented several witnesses, including a former Head of Service, Steve Oronsaye, who testified that Saraki and Ekweremadu had failed to declare their assets properly.

Recent developments: In recent weeks, the trial has stalled due to various reasons. In July 2022, the CCT adjourned the trial indefinitely due to the absence of the prosecution's key witness, a former Director of Finance in the Senate, who was supposed to testify.

In August 2022, the CCT ordered the trial to resume, but the prosecution failed to present its witness, citing "unforeseen circumstances." The defense counsel, however, accused the prosecution of deliberately delaying the trial.

Next steps: The trial is currently stalled, and it's unclear when it will resume. The prosecution and defense teams are expected to negotiate a new date for the trial, but the exact timeline is uncertain.

It's worth noting that the trial has been marked by controversy and allegations of political interference. Saraki and Ekweremadu have denied any wrongdoing and have accused the Federal Government of political persecution. The trial has also raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the fairness of the legal process.