Saraki Lays Ambush Again? Senators Summon CCT Judge To Frustrate His Trial

Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has summoned Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), who is presiding over Bukola Saraki’s corruption trial.

Saraki is facing 13 counts of false assets declaration and fraud before the CCT.

The senators asked Justice Umar‎ to appear before the Committee “unfailingly” by 2pm on Thursday.

The very suspicious invitation came on Monday just few hours after the judge ruled that Saraki’s trial would go on daily between 9am and 6pm.

The Senate president’s lawyer had argued for the trial to hold only when the Upper Chamber is not in plenary, but Justice Umar insisted that Saraki, and not the Senate, was on trial.

Consequently, senators loyal to Saraki sent an invitation requested Justice Umar to “come personally” to the senate with 12 copies of any submission he wishes to present.

The same Senate is currently engaged in a hurried amendment of the Acts setting up the CCB and CCT.