CCT trial: Umar back pedals, entertains Saraki’s motion

After initially throwing out an application by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asking him to disqualify himself from presiding over Saraki’ false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, the chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar, Wednesday, entertained the motion.

At the resumption of the trial today, Justice Umar had also ordered that the security details attached to Saraki or any other top politician should henceforth stay out of the court room when the trial commences.

he said the order was a safety measurement for all those present in court

“We have observed that some armed security agents are at the tribunal. We want such security men to stay outside. They should stay outside of the court hall not inside. It is for the protection of us here” he said.

It would be recalled that Umar had lost his temper last Thursday, April 21st, when he repeatedly yelled at the Counsel to the Senate President, Oluyede to “Sit Down!” when the counsel attempted to bring up the motion relating to his bribery charges.

Read also: Finally, Saraki meets Buhari over budget impasse (Photos)

Oluyede, had cited reasons why Justice Umar should excuse himself, saying that Danladi Umar’s relationship with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as a suspect in a N10million bribery investigation, made him morally unjustified to sit on the case – because the EFCC was one of the investigating authorities in the case.

An EFCC investigation report dated 24th June 2014, said the CCT boss and his erstwhile Personal Assistant, Gambo Abdullahi, are listed as suspects.

Umar also registered his displeasure over a recording from the CCT being released on social media last week.

He stated that the use of electronic devices by individuals in the court and posting of such events online was unlawful and misleading to the public on what truly transpires in the courtroom. He threatened that such acts would be dealt with henceforth.

 

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