CCT boss| legal technicalities won’t frustrate Saraki’s trial

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chair­man, Justice Danladi Umar, yesterday gave assur­ances that the trial of Sen­ate President, Bukola Saraki, will not be frustrated by legal technicalities.
The tribunal chairman, who was reacting to allega­tions of delay tactics by the Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, (SAN) against Saraki’s lawyer, said that the consequences of the trial and the charges will in no way be reduced on the accused per­son by his tribunal.

Umar, who spoke as the Defence Counsel, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) was about to be­gin cross-examination of the Prosecution Witness, Mr Mi­cheal Wetka, said that he had taken note of the delay tactics being employed by Saraki’s lawyers and warned that the tactics will not in way affect the consequences of the trial of the defendant.
However, the Lead Coun­sel, Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN) who was taken aback by the remark of the CCT chairman got up and asked him what he meant by the consequences.
Agabi told the tribunal chairman that he and his cli­ent are worried over what he called ‘assumed prejudices’.
The former Attorney Gen­eral of the Federation (AGF) cautioned the tribunal against influence from opposition and enemies, adding that the defence team is against ‘assumed prejudices’ as it is against justice.