Saraki’s trial: How CCT chairman lacks respect
Editor’s note: Senate president Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been undergoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) since September 22. These charges borders over 16 counts of corruption while he was governor of Kwarra state.
In this article, Joseph Orlu, a social analyst and public commentator has aired his views on how Danladi Umar, the CCT chairman has serially rubbished Williams Atedze, a member of the tribunal sitting in judgment over Saraki’s trial.
Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi umar
Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has shown himself to be a rigid judicial tyrant.
His proceedings in the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki have always been strait-jacketed.
He has serially rubbished the suggestions of Williams Atedze, a member of the tribunal sitting in judgment over Saraki’s trial.
On April 28, after the charges against the senate president were amended, his counsel asked for a three-week adjournment to enable to study three additional charges added to a 13-count trumped up charge of false declaration of assets.
An intense argument ensued between the counsel of the defence and that of the prosecution. While the prosecution asked for a seven-day adjournment, the defence argued for a three-week recess to give them time to prepare their case.
READ ALSO: CCT trial: Judge rules in favor of Saraki for the first time
It was in the middle of the heated argument that Atedze intervened. He called for a truce, and suggested a two-week adjournment.
But Umar, in his tyrannical toga, dismissed the suggestion. He, instead, ordered a 10-day adjournment to pacify the prosecution.
This is just one in many other cases where the CCT overlord has humiliated his colleague in the glare of the public.
Also, reports are rife that Atedze had at different occasions moved to pull out of the trial, but was prevailed on to swallow the humiliation to avoid embarrassing the tribunal.
As a matter of fact, a three-member panel is expected to preside over a case at the tribunal, but at present only the CCT chairman and Atedze are presiding over Saraki’s trial.
Other judges have allegedly vowed not to sit with Umar owing to the bribery allegation hanging over his head.
And on Thursday, a witness testified before an Abuja high court that the CCT chairman still had a case to answer in the bribery scandal at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This is, however, contrary to Umar’s avowal that he had been let off the hook by the EFCC.
READ ALSO: Saraki’s trial: Drama as judge loses temper in court room
While ruling on Saraki’s application asking him to disqualify himself from the trial on the grounds that he was under investigation by the anti-graft agency, Umar lied that the EFCC had given him a clean bill of health.
But has the trial of Ali Gambo, Umar’s personal assistant whom he has blamed for his own malfeasance continues, it is expected that the CCT tyrant will be brought to justice.
This article expresses the authors’ opinion only. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com or its editors.
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