The Code of Conduct Tribunal Thursday threw out a motion filed by a counsel to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asking its chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, to disqualify himself from the case because of the likelihood of bias.
Mr. Saraki is standing trial before the tribunal on 13-count charges bordering on alleged false and anticipatory declaration of assets while he was Governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011.
The counsel, Raphael Oluyede, in the motion, requested the CCT chair to disqualify himself from further hearing and determination of the charges filed in the proceedings against the former Kwara governor on grounds that Umar’s continued presence on the panel offends provisions of Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
At the continuation of the trial on Thursday, Mr. Oluyede, who was appearing for the second time at the tribunal, rose up shortly after appearances were announced and attempted to re-introduce his motion, which he said had been communicated to the tribunal yesterday.
But the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, objected strongly to the motion, and interrupted Mr. Oluyede.
Justice Umar dismissed the motion swiftly.
“That motion as far as the tribunal is concerned is of no consequence; not worthy to be entertained and is hereby thrown away”, said Mr. Umar.
The tribunal soon became rowdy as Oluyede, who was holding brief for Kanu Agabi (SAN), Mr. Saraki’s lead counsel, insisted they be heard.
After making his point, Mr. Oluyede got into a fierce argument with Mr. Danladi and was almost escorted out of the tribunal by the police, following the order of the tribunal chairman, before Mr. Jacobs intervened and pleaded with Mr. Danladi to calm the situation.
