ABUJA – Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar Tuesday said he was under intense pressure to convict a former Governor of Lagos state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2012.
Mr. Tinubu, was brought before the Tribunal by the federal government for alleged false declaration of assets and for operating foreign accounts.
Justice Umar said despite the pressure, members of the Tribunal did the right thing.
He therefore, assured that he would be just in deciding the case before him against Senate President Bukola Saraki, bothering on false declaration of assets when he was Governor of Kwara state.
The CCT Chairman also dismissed insinuations that he was being influenced to convict Mr. Mr. Saraki.
His words, “I swear by the Almighty Allah to do justice. On our part, the insinuation that we are being influenced to see the conviction of the accused is false.
“During Bola Tinubu’s case, we were under influence to convict him but we did the right thing”.
Justice Umar at the resumed trial of Saraki, said that the records of the Tribunal show that no fewer than 100 Counsels are standing for the defendant.
He therefore, ruled that “Henceforth, only the lead Counsel, Agabi can do the cross examination.
“For purpose of the records of the court, it will be tidy for only the lead counsel to do the cross examination.
In his response, Agabi said: “Are you surprised that those who come before you are afraid? People come here and they are ruled by fear of prejudice. Prejudice ought not to have a place in this court but we are afraid”.
On his part, the Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs said all Saraki’s Counsel can speak through the lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN.
