Saraki’s ‘false assets declaration’ trial at CCT adjourned

The trial of Bukola Saraki, president of the senate, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false assets declaration will no longer continue on Wednesday as scheduled, due to the annual 2016 annual recess to be embarked upon by the tribunal’s judges.

At the last trial day on June 21, Saraki had accused Danladi Umar, CCT chairman, of bias.

Arguing a motion seeking the withdrawal of Umar from his‎ trial, Paul Erokoro, one of his counsel, alleged that the CCT chairman had already decided his fate unfavourably.
“It is no longer possible for my lord to be fair in this trial‎,” he alleged.

After listening to the arguments of the counsel, the tribunal judge adjourned to case to July 13.

However, a statement by the CCT on Tuesday said the trial would not proceed.

“The Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon Danladi Yakubu Umar, on Tuesday adjourned all sittings scheduled for this week and those to come within July and August till after the resumption from recess to be embarked by the Tribunal’s Judges soon,” read a statement by Ibraheem Al-hassan, head, press and publicrelations of the tribunal.

“The decision was taken due to the ongoing Roundtable Discussion involving CCT and other critical stakeholders within and outside the country, to develop the Code of Ethics and Practice Directions for the Code of Conduct Tribunal to ensure fair and speedy trials, sponsored by European Union (EU) and implemented by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC).”

He assured litigants currently with cases before the court that they would have their new dates shortly after the vacation in September 2016.

“The Tribunal regrets the pains caused by the sudden change,” he said.

Saraki’s trial for alleged forgery, with Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, could also not be heard on Monday, as the presiding judge had gone on vacation.