CCT Rejects Saraki’s One Week Leave …Insists Trial Must Go On Daily

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Army, during their visit to the sites allegedly damaged by soldiers ( on February 22 and 23, 2016) in Ogoni communities of Gokana and Khana Local Government Areas in Rivers, yesterday

The trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday, took a dramatic twist as one of the Senate President’s lawyers, Kanu Agabi, engaged the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, in a heated argument over adjournment of trial.
This happened shortly after the tribunal resumed sitting after the matter was stood down for over one hour.
Upon resumption of sitting, Agabi moved for adjournment of the matter.
Agabi said, “My lord, we need time to rest, you worked so hard as a lawyer and till now, still working hard. We need time to rest.
“This profession is destroying its professionals as we are made to sit in for a whole day during some proceedings. I know many of my colleagues who have died and their wives are now widows because of this kind of action.
“All I ask for is an adjournment to allow us rest.
“As early as 2am, I’m in my office preparing for this matter so I beg for time.”
But the tribunal chairman who was becoming furious turned down the appeal, saying the matter is a summary one and as such must go on.
“We just got back from break and you are asking for an adjournment?
“This matter is a summary one and we want to get it done with as soon as possible.
On the matter taking a whole day, Umar said, “This is the price we have to pay, the matter must continue.”
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki had arrived the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), in company of about 10 senators.
The current number is a significant drop from the previous figure of Senators who accompanied Saraki to the tribunal.
Saraki is currently standing trial at the tribunal for alleged false declaration of assets while he was the governor of Kwara State.
The Senate President had in his previous appearances at the CCT enjoyed a large company of his colleagues from the Upper legislative Chambers who had accompanied him to show their support, though yesterday witnessed a significant fall.
Also, at the tribunal to support Saraki was the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who arrived the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), later.
Donning in a white agbada and a red cap to match, the Deputy President entered the tribunal hall to the admiration of fellow Senators.
In the course of the trial yesterday, a prosecution witness, who is an operative with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Michael Wetkas, had told the tribunal how Saraki used over N522million to procure a property in Ikoyi area of Lagos State, adding that the property was part of many others not declared by the Senate President.
However, a civil society organisation known as Citizen for Defence of Democracy (CDD), yesterday, organisation a mass protest at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), demanding fairness in the ongoing trial of the Senate Present, Bukola Saraki.
The protesters were seen playing drums while displaying banners with the inscription, “Leave Saraki Alone”, “Nigerian Youth/Students to CCT, be courageous and strike out the charges against Saraki,” among others.
Convener of the protest and National Coordinator of CDD, Tochukwu Ohazuruike while speaking with newsmen just outside the tribunal premises where the protest held, said Saraki was being subjected to persecution and not prosecution.
Ohazuruike wondered why the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, who is on administrative bail from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), would preside over Saraki’s matter.
“Why would a man who was granted bail for corrupt practices by the same EFCC be allowed to preside over Saraki’s matter?
Ohazuruike berated the tribunal chairman for his action during yesterday’s sitting.
He said, “At yesterday’s sitting, the chairman of the tribunal was busy correcting the witness who was giving his testimony, this is unacceptable.
“I practice this same profession as the chairman and the judge is not allowed to explain to the witness what to say.
“Under the Inquisitor system of law, the judge can only ask the witness questions to indict him, but in the adversarial system which Nigeria practices, the judge is not allowed, he has to be independent,”
“We wonder the special interest in the Saraki’s matter.
“This tribunal has been sitting for years now, never has it been heard that the Chairman declared that a matter shall sit from 10am to 6pm”
Advocating for fair trial, Ohazuruike said, “This Chairman was recommended for prosecution by the last Attorney General, but the current one has shelved off that recommendation, why? And the same person is now presiding over Saraki’s matter, there is need for fairness in Nigeria’s judicial system.
Uhazuruike further stated, “We are not saying he should not be tried but the judicial institution in Nigeria should be fair in its dealings especially this particular proceedings.”