The Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asking the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, to disqualify himself from Mr. Saraki’s ongoing trial.
Bukola Saraki whom is being accused of making false declaration of assets, and is undergoing trial at the tribunal as we all know. One of Bukola Saraki’s counsel, Rapheal Olueyede, had on April 20th applied for the disqualification of CCT chairman Danladi Umar, accusing the judge of being biased and having a case of bribery against his name as recorded from EFCC claims. This issue almost got Mr. Oluyede thrown out of the tribunal court after the application led to a heated exchange between him and Justice Umar.
He however allowed Mr. Oluyede to make the same application on Wednesday and stated that the tribunal would rule on the application Thursday.
On Thursday, Mr. Umar held that the Attorney General’s office had the legal prerogative to institute a suit against anyone found to have a case of fraud.
He also held that it was within the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate him.