Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs Wednesday called on the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to stop maligning the trial judge, Danladi Umar.
Jacobs made the call while reacting to the application by Saraki’s counsel, Raphael Oluyede, asking the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar to disqualify himself from the ongoing trial due to a corruption allegations against him.
Oluyede had alleged that there is a likelihood of bias on the part of Umar who was been investigated by the EFCC for corruption to the tune of N10m and for meeting with an accused person privately in his chambers which he admitted, adding that the same commission is also prosecuting Saraki.
But Jacobs while contending with Oluyede’s appeal, said, “This application is aimed at maligning the person of the judge. My lord, I will urge you to dismiss this application.”
Jacobs disclosed that the anti-graft agency had in two separate letters cleared Umar of all corruption allegations.
Saraki’s counsel, however, queried the action of the anti-graft agency, in which the commission issued a letter clearing Umar of any complexity in the alleged N10m bribe scandal.
Oluyede wondered why the anti-graft agency is trying to shield Umar by claiming he was cleared of all corruption charges.
“Why is the EFCC yielding a sword of Damocus against the tribunal Chairman,” Oluyede queried.
Oluyede while contending the clarification by the EFCC said the anti-graft agency in the two letters exhibited before the tribunal did not clearly exonerate the CCT Chairman from further investigation.
Quoting from one of the letters, Oluyede said, “For now, we have no evidence to prosecute Umar.”
Oluyede explained that the letter signified that, Umar can later be investigated for the alleged bribe, thereby casting doubt on his credibility to preside over the matter.
He maintained that if Umar continued to preside over Saraki’s trial, it would create a wrong impression in the minds of the public, thereby eroding the legitimacy of the trial.
On these grounds, he urged Umar to hands off the matter.
After listening to the heated argument between both counsels, Umar adjourned the matter till Thursday for continuation of trial and cross examination of the first prosecution witness.
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