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We were pressured to rule against Tinubu in 2011 –CCT chairman

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The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Danladi Umar, has thrown more light on the trial of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in 2011 before the trial, saying the members of the panel were under pressure to rule against him.

It would be recalled that Tinubu, a leader the then opposition Action Congress öf Nigeria, ACN, was charged before the CCT and discharged in 2011 during the administration of the former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Umar made the revelation at the continuation of the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on charges of false and anticipatory asset declaration, among others, on Tuesday.

The CCT chairman said this in trying to allay the fears of Saraki and his lawyers that the tribunal was being controlled by external influence, assuring that the determination of the tribunal to do justice in the case as he and his co-panel member would give account to God.

He said: “During the trial of Bola Tinubu we were under influence. But you saw what happened.

Read also: Buhari, APC’s change has been downhill, Fasehun says

“We did what we needed to do based on what was before us.”

He also appealed to both prosecution and defence lawyers to conduct themselves in a manner that would enhance speedy
determination of the case.

In a related development, the tribunal chairman, has ordered that only one counsel from the defence and prosecution could cross-examine a witness.

Umar had said at the beginning of continuation of trial on Tuesday, that from record, there were about 100 counsels for the defence, adding that there had been too many counsels cross-examining the witness, a situation he said could make the process untidy.

“To ensure orderliness all counsels cannot cross-examine the witness.

“All the other lawyers could assist Mr Kanu Agabi (Saraki’s lead counsel) rather than every other person in the defence doing the job.

“This will make the process untidy. So, henceforth only the lead counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi, can do the cross-examination,” Mr Danladi stressed.

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