Nigerian senate president loses bid to halt corruption trial

Abuja - Nigeria's court of appeal on Friday threw out a bid from the country's senate president to stop his corruption trial for alleged false declaration of assets.

The three-member panel dismissed the appeal from Bukola Saraki that the Code of Conduct Tribunal was not properly constituted and lacked competence to hear the proceedings.

As leader of the upper chamber of parliament, Saraki is Nigeria's third most senior politician behind President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The case is being seen as a litmus test for Buhari's governing All Progressives Congress (APC), who came to power in May on a vow to crack down hard on corruption.

Saraki was arraigned last month before the tribunal on a 13-count charge alleging false declaration of assets while he was governor of the north central state of Kwara.

He denied the charges and the case was adjourned pending the appeal.

Saraki's lawyer, Mahmud Mogaji, told the judges on Friday they will challenge the judgement at the Supreme Court.