Tempers flared today at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, over the request of Senate President, Saraki’s lawyer seeking the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar to disqualify himself from the ongoing trial based on alleged bias.
During the Trial, Saraki’s counsel, Mr. Raphael Oluyede, brought to the attention of the court the motion filed on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, seeking the disqualification of the CCT Chairman from the trial proceedings, the motion contended that the continued involvement of the CCT Chairman on the panel of the tribunal was against the provision of Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which prescribes that “In the determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such manner as to secure its independence and impartiality”.
Oluyede maintained that: “There are so many stories of the tribunal Chairman’s dealing with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“I’m here to do my job and have the right to be heard.”
The CCT Chairman, Umar, clearly angered by the adamant nature of Saraki’s counsel maintained that the motion will not be “entertained and is hereby thrown out.”
He further added: “Let’s move to the business of the day.”