SarakivsCCT: Senate fights back, moves to disrupt corruption trial
– Another chapter of drama has been added to the already sensationalised trial of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki at the CCT
– The Nigerian Senate has invited the CCT chairman, Danladi Umar to appear before it on Thursday, over allegations of corruption leveled against him
– The invitation came hours after the judge ruled that Saraki’s trial would become a daily affair
– Umar has sad he cannot honour the invitation as he has a court sitting and won’t be available
Nigerian senators appear to be fighting on behalf of the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the stage may have been set for a major confrontation between them and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The Senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions on Monday, April 19, summoned the CCT chairman, Justice Danladi Umar over allegations of corruption against him, The Nation reports.
Bukola Saraki in court during his trial
The summon which came hours after the judge ruled that Saraki’s trial would sit daily, asked Justice Umar to appear before the Senate committee “unfailingly” by 2pm on Thursday, bringing a new twist to the already sensationalised trial of the Senate president.
The invitation letter, signed by Freedom Odolo, the clerk of the committee was delivered to the CCT chairman shortly after he ruled that the tribunal will be sitting daily from 9am to 6pm.
The letter read: “Your letter with reference number CCT/HQ/ 126/S/ 111/ 515 dated 1st April, 2016 in which you requested for more time to enable you attend the hearing was received.
“After due consideration of your request, the committee rescheduled the hearing to give you at least two weeks from the 4th of April when you should have appeared.
READ ALSO: Saraki says CCT trial should not affect Senate’s plenary
“Accordingly, you are now required to appear unfailingly as follows: Thursday, 21st April, 2016, Meeting Room 120 new Senate building, National Assembly complex. Time: 2pm
“Please, remember to come personally along with 12 copies of any written submission you may wish to present.”
However, Umar replied the Senate that he has a court sitting on Thursday and throughout the week and would not be available until after the court sittings.
According to an anonymous source, the battle line has been drawn between the Senate and the chairman of the CCT.
The source said the senators were angry over Umar’s decision to allow the tribunal to sit from 9am to 6pm, which according to them is a ploy to deny Saraki any opportunity to preside over the Senate plenary throughout his trial.
“Now, these senators have also launched a counter-attack against the CCT chairman by revisiting the outstanding petition against the judge,” the source added.
Following the absence of the Senate president due to his ongoing trial, there appears to be confusion over who would preside over the Senate plenary beginning from today, Vanguard reports.
The Senate has remained silent on what will happen today as Saraki would not be around to preside over plenary.
The CCT chairman was accused in a written petition of corruption and diverting public funds for personal use in 2015. He was alleged to have used funds meant for the Code of Conduct Bureau to finance his wedding and for also a purchase of a Toyota Prado SUV without due process.
READ ALSO: Amaechi, Tinubu, Buhari should face same fate: Nigerians react to CCTvsSaraki saga
His invitation is coming after repeated efforts by Saraki to halt his trial failed. On February 5, the Supreme Court nullified his application challenging the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him.
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