Politics

Mild drama at CCT as Umar orders police to throw out Saraki’s lawyer (Video)

Published

8 years ago

April 21, 2016

Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, refused to hear the motion filed by counsel to Senate President, Bukola Saraki on his alleged bias causing a mild drama which played out on Thursday at the CCT.

A motion filed on Wednesday, April 20th, 2016, seeking the Code of Conduct Tribunal boss to disqualify himself from participating in the trial based on bias was brought to the attention of the court by Saraki’s counsel Raphael Oluyede.

The Tribunal Chairman dismissed the application by Saraki’s counsel asking Umar to disqualify himself from the case. “That motion as far as the tribunal is concerned is of no consequence; not worthy to be entertained and is hereby thrown away,” said Mr. Umar.

The presence of Umar on the panel of Tribunal according to the motion brought to the attention of the court, offended the provisions of Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which says that; “In the determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such manner as to secure its independence and impartiality”.

Justice Umar repeatedly yelled at Oluyede to “sit down” when he attempted to bring up the motion and his revelation and insistence prompted an upset Umar to call police officers to throw out the counsel to the Senate President.

The drama was however, settled when prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, intervened and pleaded with Mr. Danladi to calm the situation and allow the tribunal process continue in peace and tranquil.

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