Umar must disqualify himself, Saraki insists

Senate President Bukola Saraki has asked Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of the Conduct Tribunal (CCT), to withdraw from his trial.

Saraki made this request in a motion filed by Kanu Agabi, his lead counsel, on Wednesday.

He cited bias on the part of the CCT chairman‎ as the reason for his motion.

This is the second time Saraki is filing such a motion.

As the case was called on Wednesday, Agabi told the tribunal that there was a motion before it which had to be taken first.

But the prosecution counsel urged the tribunal to proceed with the business of the day- which was cross examination.

Saraki’s counsel objected, saying that the‎ motion was critical, and had to be considered first.

After listening to the arguments, Umar adjourned the trial to June 21 for hearing of the motion.

However, he caused a stare when he said that the “the case will proceed”on the day of the hearing, implying he had already taken a decision.

‎Agabi pointed this out to him, but he explained that he meant that his ruling would either go in favour of the defence or the prosecution.