False Assets Trial: CCT Chairman, Umar Dismisses Saraki’s Motion On Moral Right

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, April 28th, 2016

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar has dismissed Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s motion challenging his (Umar) moral right to preside over his trial on false assets declaration.

The fresh application was introduced last week by one of Saraki’s Counsels, Mr Ajibola Oluyede. The motion caused brief altercation between the Lawyer and CCT Chairman, resulting to Oluyede being walked out of the court by the former.

Justice Umar in his ruling Thursday, ruled that the application lacked merit.‎ He however upheld the opposition of the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), to the motion.

It would be recalled when Oluyede revisited the motion Wednesday, Mr. Jacobs prayed the Court to admit it, so that it could be argued.

The Prosecution Counsel argued that contrary to Oluyede’s claim, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had already cleared Justice Umar of the bribery allegation.

He corroborated that the suspect in the alleged bribery saga is already being prosecuted by the EFCC.

Oluyede is banking on a petition dated 2014, sent to the anti-graft body, allegedly written by one retired Customs officer, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo, who claimed to have been asked by Justice Umar to offer him a ₦10 million bribe.

Similarly, he told the court Wednesday that he hinged his application on Section 36(1) of the Constitution which he stated, bothers on the issues relating to bias and the rules of natural justice.

Justice Danladi has denied collecting bribe, but admitted certain amount was paid into the account of his Personal Assistant.