The trial of the former governor of Kwara state, Bukola Abubakar Saraki over a 16-count charge of corruption and false declaration of assets has continued in dramatic fashion at the CCT.
Bukola Saraki
The Code of Conduct Tribunal resumed today with much deliberations on the motion filed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki calling for a disqualification of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar.
Here are the highlights of the proceedings:
1. Paul Irokoro, SAN, one of Saraki’s counsels accused the CCT Chairman of being bias in the ongoing trial as contained in the fresh motion filed by the defence team.
2. He insisted that the tribunal Chairman should disqualify himself from the ongoing trial. Irokoro argued that base on section 30 of the constitution, Umar can no longer preside over the matter.
3. Saraki’s team questioned Danladi on why he has a special interest in the case. “Why the special interest in this matter?," asks Irokoro.
4. Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, responding to Irokoro’s submission, said the Chairman made no statement on prejudice, thus, he can proceed on the matter.
5. Rotimi urged the tribunal to dismiss the motion filed by Saraki because it’s frivolous and an abuse of legal processes.
6. After listening to both counsels, Umar adjourned the matter till July 13 for ruling on the motion.