Code Of Conduct Tribunal Adjourns Saraki’s Trial Over Motion Seeking Judge’s Disqualification Again

The Federal Government has opposed a
fresh application by the Senate President,
Dr. Bukola Saraki, seeking the
disqualification of the Chairman of the Code
of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, from
further presiding over his trial on charges of
false and anticipatory asset declaration.
Saraki, through his lawyer, Chief Kanu
Agabi (SAN), filed his fresh application on
June 13, 2016, accused Umar of making a
remark showing his bias against him
(Saraki) during the proceedings on June 7,
2016, while warning the defence against
delay tactics.
Umar reportedly made the statement that
was picked up by Saraki while warning the
defence that their delay tactics would not
“reduce the consequences the defendant
will meet in this tribunal at the end of the
trial.”
Saraki, in his fresh application, alleged that
Umar’s statement would prejudice the
outcome of the trial.
But the prosecution stated in its counter-
affidavit that the statement credited to
Umar during the June 7, 2016 proceedings
and which Saraki held on to as the basis
for seeking Umar’s withdrawal from the
trial, was quoted out of context.
The counter-affidavit stated in part, “That
as a counsel appearing with the lead
counsel in this case, I know as a fact that if
the Chairman of this honourable tribunal
disqualifies himself, based on this
application, the honourable tribunal would
have taken over the jurisdiction of the Court
of Appeal in deciding the appeal.
Punch