By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA – The Federal Government, yesterday, urged the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, to dismiss a fresh application seeking to disqualify Justice Danladi Umar from presiding over the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Government, through its lead counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, further accused Saraki, who is answering to a 16-count corruption charge, of attempting to use “frivolous motions” to frustrate his trial.

Meanwhile, Saraki, yesterday, successfully used the fresh motion endorsed by his lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, to stall hearing on the charge against him till June 21.

The CCT panel, headed by Justice Umar, had originally adjourned for Saraki’s legal team to further cross-examine the lead prosecution witness, PW-1, Mr. Michael Wetkas.

Wetkas was the head of a three-man crack team the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, constituted in 2014 to investigate six petitions against Saraki.

The witness commenced his Evidence-In-Chief before the tribunal on April 6.

At the resumed sitting on the matter on Wednesday, Saraki’s lawyer, Agabi, SAN, notified the tribunal panel of the pendency of the application seeking to disqualify Justice Umar.

Saraki based his application on remarks Justice Umar made on June 7, threatening that he would face the full consequences of charges against him despite whatever delay tactics he chose to employ in the course of the trial.