CCT chairman, a willing tool for the executive arm of government – Saraki

– The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has accused the Code of Conduct Tribunal chairman of being biased

– Saraki asked the CCT chairman to disqualify himself from presiding over his trial

– He also called the chairman a willing tool of the executive arm of the government

The embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Wednesday, April 21, accused the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar of being biased and a willing tool in the hand of the executive arm of the government.

In a motion on notice filed against Umar, Saraki prayed the court for the CCT chairman to disqualify himself from conducting his trial.

No date has been fixed for hearing the motion on notice.

The Senate President in the notice filed by Raphael Oluyede said he is assured he will not get justice under the chairmanship of Umar.

He contended that the tribunal offended the provisions of Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended through the continued participation of Umar in his (Saraki’s) ongoing trial.

READ ALSO: N10m bribery: Read what EFCC has to say about CCT chairman

Oluyede added that the section of the Constitution states 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.”

Saraki in his claim said that unfolding events and the manner at which his trail is being conducted suggest bias from the chairman.

Joined in the motion are Umar and the second member of the tribunal, Agwadza Atedze

Also, in a 20-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion on notice stated that Saraki sought to enforce his fundamental human rights before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on the grounds that the independence of the tribunal cannot be guaranteed with Umar presiding over it.

READ ALSO: Saraki’s trial at CCT: How evidence got burnt – Witness

Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cleared Umar of any bribery allegation, the affidavit claimed that the CCT chairman cannot continue to chair over the tribunal while both himself and Saraki are being investigated by the anti-graft agency.

The affidavit also stated that for the interest of justice, it would be served if Umar disqualifies himself from sitting in the panel of the tribunal to hear and determine the charges being prosecuted against the applicant.

The EFCC on Wednesday, April 20, cleared Umar of a N10 million bribery allegation some staff of the commission.

Umar was accused of demanding a N10 million bribe from a retired comptroller of customs, Rasheed Taiwo.

The commission however  said there is no evidence to try him (Umar) for bribery and that the allegations were mere suspicions insufficient to successfully prosecute the offence.

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