Again,Saraki loses bid to force out tribual chairman

 Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT),Danladi Umar says he will not disqualify himself from the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The senate president had filed an application asking the judge to withdraw from his trial.
But Umar held that he would not hands off the case because he was performing his constitutional duty.
“Chairman of the tribunal has not been charged to any court. The defendant, though, facing charges, has not recused himself from performing his duties as senate president,” the judge said in response to Saraki’s argument that he should withdraw from the case on the grounds that he was under investigation for bribery.
“The issue of any investigation is over. The tribunal holds that the application of the accused lacks merit. It is hereby dismissed.”
Arguing the application on Wednesday, Ajibola Oluyede (SAN), counsel to Saraki, had asked the CCT chairman to withdraw from the case on the grounds that he was being influenced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Oluyede argued that Umar, whom he said was being investigated by the anti-graft agency, would not act independently in the trial of his client.
“The reason why we are here is that the EFCC is prosecuting the defendant before tribunal,” he had said.
#Aabingo