CCT Trial: Again Saraki Loses At Tribunal

Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, has dismissed an application by Senate President Bukola Saraki asking him, to disqualify himself from hearing his trial on false asset declaration. Saraki is standing trial for alleged false declaration of assets while he was serving as governor of Kwara state.

Delivering judgement on Saraki's application today, the Chairman of the Tribunal said he would have disqualified himself if the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which established and binds the tribunal, had made provisions for such an instance where the CCT Chairman can unilaterally disqualify himself from a case.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

He added that for the President to remove the Chairman or a member of the Tribunal, there must a written address from the president to the national assembly and a two-third consent from both chambers of the legislative.

He ruled that the allegation by Saraki that he is bias in his case is a "mere conjecture of the media" "The application of the defendant is not well founded and it is hereby refused" he ruled.

Scapegoat: Orubebe's Properties SEIZED Over False Assets Declaration

The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Tuesday found a former Minister of Niger Delta affairs, Godsday Orubebe, guilty of false declaration of asset.

‎The tribunal, chaired by Danladi Umar, declared its judgement, seizing the asset said to have been exempted in Mr. Orubebe’s declaration form, but placed no other penalties against him.

Mr. Orubebe was accused of failing to declare an asset he acquired while in office as minister of the Niger Delta.

The asset, plot 2057, Asokoro district, Abuja was aquired barely a month before the end of his tenure and traced to him, but exempted in his asset declaration form.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

Mr. Orubebe said he had put the said asset up for sale before the expiration of his tenure.

But the tribunal found Mr. Orubebe guilty of possession of the said plot, stressing that prosecution proved its case beyond doubts.

In his ruling, Mr. Umar decided that the arguments put forward by the prosecution were valid and thier documents admitted in envidence.

“‎I hereby seize, on behalf of the federal government, the property known as plot 2057.

The federal government had in October last year filed a three-count charge against, Mr. Orubebe but reduced them to one in March, this year.

The former minister is known for his ardent support for former president Goodluck Jonathan.

Saraki's CCT Trial Chairman, Umar In Fresh Trouble As Aide EXPOSES He Demanded N10m Bribe

The legal hurdle to exonerates the Code of Conduct tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar handling the trial of the Senate President Bukola saraki from the alleged N10 million bribe may have taken fresh turn as his former Personal Assistant, Mr. Ali Gambo Abdullahi has revealed how his former boss actually demanded the said bribe in his office, ThisDay Newspaper has reported.

Ali Gambo Abdullahi in a cross-examination told an Abuja High Court was on Tuesday that the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Yakubu Umar, met several times in his chamber with a retired Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi, who was standing trial before him on false assets declaration charges.

Abdullahi, told the court while giving evidence in a trial within a trial on the disputed statement he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in respect of a N10 million bribe allegedly demanded by the CCT chairman from the accused person in order to strike out the charges against him.

The witness, who was cross-examined by the EFCC counsel, Mr. Andrew Akoja, told Justice Chizobia Oji that it was at the end of the last meeting the accused person had with the CCT chairman that the sum of N1.8 million was paid into his (Abdullahi’s) account by the ex-customs official.

However, contrary to the statement he made on August 12, 2013 that the N1.8 million was part payment of the N10 million bribe meant for the CCT chairman, the witness said the money was deposited into his Zenith Bank account by the accused person to offset the medical bill of his ailing father.

The witness further told the court that he never met with the former deputy comptroller-general of Customs until he started visiting the CCT chairman in the course of his trial and that the money was paid to him immediately after the last visit to his boss.

Confronted with the statement where he implicated the CCT chairman on the N10 million bribery saga, Abdullahi said that the statement he first made on the issue was done under duress and based on the inducement promised him by operatives of the EFCC who investigated the petition of the ex-Customs man in the matter.

Further cross-examined by the EFCC counsel, the witness, who read out some portions of the statement, identified his signature, admitted that he signed the statement and that he also signed an attestation confirming that his statement was made freely and voluntarily by him.

Earlier in his evidence-in-chief, Abdullahi had told the court that he was a protocol officer at the CCT when he was employed in 2009 and that he later became the personal assistant to the chairman.

He told the court that he got to know the former Customs officer during his numerous visits to his boss, revealing that during the last visit, the said Taiwo met him with sympathisers on the plight of his father and it was as a result of the plight of his father that prompted the payment of N1.8 million to cater for his father.

The witness said on August 12, 2013 he was invited to EFCC’s office in Abuja where he was confronted with a petition from the said Owolabi on the alleged N10 million bribe and that he made a statement on the same day and was allowed to go home on administrative bail but with a condition: to continue visiting EFCC twice a week pending the completion of the investigation.

He also informed the court that the following day, two directors from CCT followed him to the EFCC to perfect his bail condition and that in the course of his several visits to the commission, he made several statements in addition to that of Auguat 12, 2013.

The witness said that the additional statements where he exonerated the CCT chairman were the true reflection of what transpired on the N10 million bribe and not his first statement of August 12, where he implicated the CCT boss as the beneficiary of the N1.8 million bribe.

He denied that his other statements where he exonerated the CCT boss were after-thoughts, adding that he was made to implicate his boss under duress and promises of inducement.

The trial judge, Justice Chizobia Oji, adjourned the adoption of addresses in the matter to October 20, 2016.

Abdullahi is facing trial for allegedly giving false information, but his denial of his first statement on the bribery allegation prompted the trial within a trial by Justice Oji to determine his claim of duress before admitting the statement in evidence as exhibit.

ThisDay

Again, Saraki Files Fresh Charge To Disqualify CCT Chairman As His Case Adjourned Again

The embattled President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has filed a fresh charge against the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar in a bid to disqualify him from the trial.

Meanwhile, The CCT on Wednesday adjourned the hearing in the alleged false and anticipatory assets declaration trial of Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki, after prosecution counsel failed to show up.

Danladi Umar, chairman of the tribunal, fixed next Tuesday for the continuation of trial only 45 mins into Wednesday’s proceeding.

Mr. Umar also fixed Tuesday for hearing on a fresh disqualification motion filed by the defence team.

Mr. Umar is being asked to step down from the case on allegations that he lacked moral standing to continue presiding over Mr. Saraki’s case.

Mr. Umar said a notice would be communicated to Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, lead prosecution counsel, advising him on the new date.

I'll Jail You - Angry CCT Chairman, Umar Threatens Unruly Pro-Saraki Senators Today During Trial

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, on Tuesday threatened to jail senators attending court sessions in solidarity with Senate President Bukola Saraki and throw them out of the tribunal.

The chairman got angry over ‘rude’ comments from senators and other supporters of Mr. Saraki.

The individuals, seated in the court gallery, had repeatedly asked Rotimi Jacobs, prosecution counsel, to “sit down.”

This immediately infuriated Mr. Umar, who said the Senate President’s supporters’ conduct was becoming unbearable in his court, adding that they should “keep quiet.”

“If I hear anybody ask the counsel to sit down, I will deal with the person and nobody can question me about it. In fact, I will hold the person in contempt and sentence the person to hard labour and nobody will question me.”

The trial of Mr. Saraki for alleged anticipatory and false asset declaration resumed Tuesday (today), after weeks of rescheduling at the instance of prosecution team. The session is currently underway.

The tribunal is hoping to conclude the cross-examination of prosecution witness, Michael Wetkas, this week, counsel in the case said.

The cross-examination began in April, and has prolonged till now, a situation that has angered the prosecution team which has accused the defence of unnecessarily slowing down the trial

Both teams are currently sparring over the significance of questions being asked by the defence.

Paul Usoro, counsel to Mr. Saraki, had been grilling Mr. Wetkas, an EFCC official, for weeks, over evidences he tendered against the top lawmaker before the court.

Premium Times

I Swear, Unlike Saraki's, I Was Under Pressure To JAIL Tinubu By All Means - CCT Chairman

The Nation - The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, said yesterday that the tribunal and its members were subjected to “serious influence” during the trial of a former Lagos State Governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Umar said, unlike what obtained during the Tinubu trial, the tribunal was not under any external influence or interference in its handling of the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

“I want to say that in the case of Bola Tinubu, we were under serious influence, but we did what we had to do and discharged him. So we must be fair to ourselves not to delay this trial.

“The insinuation that we are being influenced in this case is not true. We are all answerable to Allah, when we breathe our last,” Umar said.

Tinubu was taken before the tribunal in 2011 for allegedly operating foreign accounts while serving as governor between 1999 and 2007. The charge was struck out, following which he was discharged.

Umar said he was guided by his conscience, the urge to do justice and the belief that everyone is answerable to Allah (GOD) when he dies.

The CCT Chairman spoke at the resumption of Saraki’s trial yesterday. He was reacting to insinuation in the media that the tribunal was being influenced to give a guilty verdict against Saraki.

The second member of the tribunal, William Agwadza Atedze, frowned at attempts to tarnish the reputation of the tribunal’s members through sponsored media publications.

“At the weekend, there was an article in the paper about me. It was titled: ‘CCT and the bird of the same feather.’ The author is taking on the wrong person, I do not keep quiet.

“The insinuation that we have been compromised is not true. Adebayo Adelodun and Yusuf Ali (two senior lawyers in Saraki’s legal team) were my classmates at ABU (Ahmadu Bello University). I am very outspoken and I have not changed.

“When they say one member of the bench is not contributing enough, do you want us to be fighting on the Bench or disagreeing in the open? The Bench is not a motor park. When we do not agree on any issue we resolve it in the office.

“This is not about the headship of Senate. This is not about an individual. It is about the country. This country is on its knees. Today, we cannot buy common tomatoes in the market. This is about the country. It is not about an individual. This case is a watershed, no matter which way it goes at the end of the day,” Atedze said.

Responding, leader of Saraki’s legal team Kanu Agabi (SAN) admitted that the defence had before yesterday expressed fear about the proceedings. He said they were now assured that justice would be done since the tribunal Chairman has placed the proceedings before God.

Agabi said: “There is nothing lawyers fear most than prejudice. We are glad that you have declared that you fear God and committed this proceedings to God.

“Prejudice ought not to have a place in the law court, but today it is. Because you have called the name of God, may God guide you. I pray for you everyday that God should protect you. You are a young man, handling a critical issue in our nation’s life,” Agabi said.

Lead prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) urged the tribunal members to ignore the impression being created about them in the media and not be bothered by it.

“It is not only this tribunal and its members that they are writing about. They have also written all sorts of things about us. It is what we are subjected to everyday,” Jacobs said.

He said Agabi’s claim that they fear prejudice was uncalled for. He said: “All the rulings of this tribunal have been upheld by the appellate courts. So, where is the claim of prejudice?

“We have nothing to hide. We cannot tell lies against anybody. I cannot ask my witness to tell lies. We mention more of God in this country but we do less of God. That is our problem,” Jacobs said.

Later, under cross-examination by Saraki’s lawyer, Paul Usoro (SAN) first prosecution witness, Michael Wetkas insisted yesterday that investigation revealed that the Senate President made false declarations in the asset declaration forms he submitted while in office as Kwara State governor.

Wetkas, who insisted that Saraki made anticipatory declaration in 2003 in respect of the property he acquired on 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, said the property was only sold by the government in 2006.

He said the property declared by Saraýki as 15A and B, McDonald Road , Ikoyi, Lagos, on assuming office as Kwara State Governor in 2003 was the same as 15, McDonald Road Ikoyi, Lagos.

The witness added that the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Sale of Federal Government’s Properties confirmed that15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, was sold to Saraki’s company, TinyTee Limited.

He noted that Saraki had, in the form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on assumption of office in 2003, claimed that he acquired 15A and B, Mcdonald Ikoyi, ýLagos, through Carslise Properties Limited.

“I have always said it in my evidence about 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi. We maintain our position that that property was one and the same property that the implementation committee wrote to us about. The implementation committee did not tell us that there existed15 A and B separately.

“The Managing Director of Carlisle Property, Sule Izuagbe, also talked about 15 McDonald as the property belonging to the defendant (Saraki) and the defendant in the asset declaration which he made in 2011 and 2015, declared the property as 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi; he no longer said 15A and B.

“That is why we maintained the same position that it is the same property.  The nomenclature is just as the convenience of the defendant,” the witness said.

He confirmed that the Certificate of Occupancy for 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, was issued in the name of TinyTee Limited and not in Saraki’s name.

Wetkas also confirmed that the Certificate of Occupancy with November 26, 2006 as its commencement date was issued by the ýthen Minister of Housing and Urban Development ýand not the implementation committee.

He said, in the course of investigation, he did not come across any document signed by Saraki in relation to the Ikoyi property.

On how he concluded that the property belonged to Saraki, Wekas said his conclusion was informed by his finding that the property on 15 McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was paid for by Saraki through the bank accounts of two other companies which Saraki had declared his interest in.

He also said the Managing Director of two of Saraki’s companies – Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited and ýSky View Properties – Mr. Sule Izuagbe, confirmed that the payment for the property was made on the instruction given by the Senate President.

“We believe that the property was bought for the defendant. The property was paid for through the account of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited and Skyview Properties. Skyview and Carlisle belong to the defendant and he declared them as his companies.

“The sum of N125million was taken from Skyview’s account with Access Bank out of which N123.73million amounting to 75 per cent of the price of the property was paid for the property.ý”

He said ý N125million was a loan obtained by Saraki through the account of Skyview’s account with Access Bank.

Wetkas added that the offer letter for the loan was signed for on behalf of Skyview by Saraki’s wife, Toyin.

“The Managing Director of Carlisle and Skybiew, Izuagbe, said the payment for the property was directed by the defendant.

“Izuagbe listed the property (15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi) as part of the properties he was managing on behalf of the defendant.

“The defendant also declared the property in his asset declaration forms of 2011 and 2015.That was the basis for our conclusion that the property belonged to the defendant,” the witness said.

In an effort to distinguish Saraki from the companies, Usoro argued that it was wrong for Wetkas to conclude that the property acquired by companies in which Saraki had interests could be considered his personal property.

He stated that Carlisle and Skyview were both limited liability companies and possess separate personalities from that of the shareholder.

Jacobs interjected and argued that: “The defendant was asked to declare in the asset form the assets he acquired, including the ones he got through nominees. He himself declared the property as his. The issue of legal personality does not arise in view of the asset declaration regime in Nigeria. They don’t go to any issue.ý”

Also, Usoro faulted the prosecution’s claim in count 11 of the charge, in which Saraki was accused of failing to declare his liability of N375million loan he obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in January 2010.

Usoro said the Senate President was not bound to declare the N375 million as his liability because as of the time he made his end of tenure asset declaration as governor on June 3, 2011 was about N36million.

Answering question from Usoro, Wekas said while it was true that that the debit balance on the account was N36million as of May 31, 2011, Saraki failed to declare the property he allegedly acquired in London with the loan.

“There are two issues. The issue of the loan and the issue of property he used the loan to buy in London.

“Our position is that we are aware that the outstanding balance was not N375million but N36,042,202.04 as at that date.

“But if that loan was taken for something else apart from property, we would not have made an issue out of it.

“But it was taken to buy a property. Our position is that, that property should have been declared in this asset declaration form of 2011. “And if it was declared in the asset declaration form, the source of how the property was acquired would have been declared that the money was sourced through loan,” Wetkas said.

Hearing resumes today.

...On This 'One', CCT Chairman, Umar Rules In Favour of Saraki For The First Time Today At The Tribunal

TheCable - Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Tuesday, gave a ruling in favour of Senate President Bukola Saraki for the first time.

As the case was called, Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB); the prosecution, complained that the cross-examination of Michael Wetkas, a principal witness, had taken much time because the defence team kept changing the lawyers examining the witness.

“The counsel that started cross-examination should finish it. The witness cannot be cross-examined by three lawyers. My learned brother should conclude cross-examining the witness,” he argued while requesting the tribunal to make the order.

“You can have several lawyers, but only one of them will address the court. That’s why we have lead counsel. The lead counsel who has started the cross-examination is bound to conclude the case.

“It is not an opportunity for six lawyers to cross-examine one witness. Why I am raising this, is that we have already spent days on cross-examination. My lord should regulate the proceedings.”

When the trial started, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Saraki’s lead counsel, had the cross-examination of the witness, after which Paul Usoro (SAN) took over.

But on Tuesday, Paul Erokoro (SAN), one Saraki’s lawyer, rose to cross-examine the witness to which Jacobs objected.

“There is no law which supports my learned friend’s request. Different counsel can cross-examine a witness. If one counsel is tired another one can take over,” Erokoro argued.

“The prosecution has also requested that will close our cross-examination today. That is absurd. We are going to take our time and do things properly. We will not be stampeded.

“We are ready to start cross-examination.”

In his ruling, Umar held that Saraki had the right to engage as many lawyers as he wanted, and to choose which one of them would speak for him in court.

“The defence has the right to conduct their defence the way it suits them. What we are here to do is to give fair hearing. Paul Erokoro can now conduct the cross-examination,” he held.

This is the first ruling the tribunal would give in favour of Saraki.

BREAKING: Saraki Turns Perceptual Loser As Suit To Disqualify CCT Chairman Also Thrown Out

The motion filed by Senate President Bukola Saraki's Cancels asking the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribuna Chairman, Danladi Umar to disqualify elf from the trial has been thrown out by the tribunal, just like other suits earlier filed by the embattled President of the Senate.

Justice Danladi Umar throws out application asking him to disqualify himself for lack of merit.

Below is the tribunal proceeding where the motion was thrown out by Justice Umar

Rotimi Jacobs rises for the prosecution

Prosecution takes his seat and Paul Usoro rises. Says Ajibola Oluyede will speak

Umar: this motion was dated 19/4/2016. Application says the Chairman of the CCT should remove himself from the trial of Saraki

Justice Umar is reading out submissions presented by Oluyede on d application he filed asking CCT Chairman 2 disqualify himself

Umar is reading out his ruling on the self disqualification application filed by Saraki's lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede

Justice Umar is still reading out the submissions by both Rotimi Jacobs and Oluyede on his self disqualification application

Umar: the tribunal having analysed submissions across parties and concluding that this is a situation where the applicant is challenging the competence of the Chairman

Umar: the question to ask here is: does the Attorney-General have powers to investigate? The answer is no!

Umar: is the Chairman of the CCT undergoing trial by the EFCC? No!

Umar: the discretion of who , how, when and how to prosecute lies with the Attorney-General

Umar: only a body instituted by law and vested with the power to investigate says there is a case against a person

Umar: only then does the Attorney-General have the power to investigate

Umar: only then does the Attorney-General have the power to prosecute

Umar: the letter written to the Attorney-General giving directive for prosecution was an interim report

Umar: thereafter EFCC continued with investigation. At the conclusion of their investigation,

Umar: the EFCC said the matters raises against the Chairman of the CCT were mere suspicions

Umar: it is clear that he who alleges, must prove. In this case, the petitioner couldn't prove that Justice Umar

Umar: called him asking for bribe. It was on this premise that the EFCC said there is no sufficient evidence against Umar

Umar: it should be noted that the EFCC isn't answerable to the Attorney-General of the Federation

Umar: it is only when sufficient evidence has been provided that the EFCC can prosecute a case thru its prosecuting counsels

Umar: the EFCC has the power to say that the person they investigated has no case to answer and to issue letter of clearance

Umar: which is what happened in this matter

Umar: the current Attorney-General of the Federation says that it can't prosecute the case against the Chairman of the CCT

Umar: by virtue of the letter by the EFCC stating lack of sufficient evidence against the CCT Chairman

Umar: finally, it is to be noted that the EFCC letter of March 2016 supersedes the letter of June 2014

Umar: and is therefore dismissed in its entirety

Saraki CCT Trial: Tribunal Chairman Likely Be 'SACKED' Tomorrow

PM News - The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) will on Thursday, April 28, deliver its ruling on an application filed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, seeking disqualification of CCT chairman from presiding over his trial.

The tribunal fixed ruling for April 28, after listening to the submissions of counsel.

Saraki had accused the chairman of the tribunal Justice Umar Danladi, of bias and insisted that he cannot get justice under his chairmanship.

Counsel to Saraki, Mr Raphael Oluyede, told the tribunal that the continued presence of Danladi on the panel offended the provisions of Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Oluyede claimed that since the EFCC is largely responsible for the trial and investigation of the N10 million bribery allegations against the chairman, there is no way the chairman will be objective and impartial in the case.

He asked the chairman to disqualify himself from further entertaining the matter.

In his argument, the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), prayed the tribunal to dismissed the motion for lacking in merit.

Jacobs said that the argument of Saraki`s lawyer defy the understanding of legal minds.

He said EFCC investigation remains an investigation, and the CCT chairman was investigated and cleared by the EFCC, he has not been charged before any court.

Jacobs, however, said that Saraki is under trial and he is still serving as Senate President and the defence lawyer was asking the CCT chairman to disqualify himself from trying Saraki.

He said it was a clear misconception of law to argue that because EFCC is investigating CCT chairman, then he should disqualify himself from the trial.

He said the EFCC had concluded investigation in the matter since March, 2015 and issued a clearance letter to the CCT on March 5, 2015.

“My lord, this application is meant to embarrassed your lordship as it was said at the Supreme Court, my lord, there is nothing in this application worthy of notes.

“This is not an EFCC case, it is the Attorney General of the Federation that gave me the fiat to prosecute the matter,” he said.

Jacobs urged the tribunal to take judicial notice of the series of harassment done it by the defence.

“My lord, no one should be above the law, attempt have been made to amend the CCB/CCT Act because of this trial.

“The prosecution is harassed, they went to different courts with the same motion, but never succeeded all in an attempt to frustrate this case” he said.

He said the issues raised are based on sentiment and matters of sentiment have no place on law.

Jacobs said Mr Oluyede has never appeared for Saraki at this tribunal as at the time he filed the motion.

“He is not a counsel on record as at the day he filed his motion and he predicated his case on wrong assumption that EFCC is a party before the tribunal.

Saraki's Trial: Heated Argument Ensues At Tribunal Today, Read Full Text Of Proceedings (2)

CLICK HERE TO READ FROM BEGINNING

Agabi: My Lord, My Lord, My Lord, I thank you. If I could speak with you on my knees, I would
Agabi: More and more people will make you angry my Lord. Will you send them all off to the prison?
Justice Umar : He exchanged words with me. Does he have right to do that?
Agabi: No he doesn't. Forgive him my Lord
Justice Umar: I have already closed thay chapter.
Agabi: Thank you my Lord. (To prosecution) you will always be my brother
Kanu Agabi takes his seat as Paul Usoro continues his cross examination of the witness
Defense: I am told that the last entry was 16/4/2010 of $84,000 on page 8
Defense: Michael correct?
Witness: That's right my Lord
Defense : On page 9, 18/5/2010, $134,000 transaction was carried out
Defense : 21/6/2010, $64,000 was made..still on that page 9. On 29/7/2010, $80,984 transaction was also made

Defense: On page 10, 2 transactions took place. 1st on 31/8/2010 for $100,000
Defense: After that, $18,000 was made on 2/9/201
Defense: On page 11, on 11/10/2010, $48,900 and 8/12/2010, $183,232.46 were made
Defense: page 12, 31/2/2011, $32,687 and on 22/3/2011, $30,656.74 were transactions made
Defense: $40,730.85 was transaction made on 8/5/2011.
Defense: $111,444.79 and on 19/7/2011, $43, 651.92 were transactions reflected on page 13
Witness: That's correct
Defense: page 14 now. On 16/8/2011, $91,738 and then 26/8/2011, $10,000 were figures entered
Witness directs defense to 29/8/2011 where transaction of $65,000 was done
Defense: 27/8/2011, $112,140.80 was entered.
Prosecution draws the attention of the defense to page 15 where a transaction of $1,121.41 was entered on 27/9/2011
Defense draws witness 's attention to a charge on a major transaction to which prosecution needed clarification
Defense: Page 16, 14/12/2011, $86, 872.10, on 4/1/2012, $50,000, on 27/1/2012, $145,000 were entries made
Defense: Page 17, on 30/01/2012, $7,000, on 10/2/2012 $94,754.63 and 20/2/2012, $77,000 were entries made
Defense: page 18, 29/3/2012, $70,648.44 was entered. On 12/4/2012, $60,000 and on 11/5/2012, $70,000 were entered
Defense: still on that page 17/5/2012, $55,000 was the entry entered. 4 major entries, Michael
Again Justice Umar wonders why the defense feels the need to take the tribunal through this long process.

The tribunal now calls for a 30 minutes recess to reconvene at 1:30 pm
Justice Umar: Do you want us to die here?
Court dissolves into laughter
Usoro: I am sorry my Lord. We are almost there
Defense : Page 19, 12/6/2012, $89,411.74, 4/7/2012 for $70,000 and on 16/7/2012, $138,000 were entries entered
Defense: Page 20 now. On 5/9/2012, $45,000,
Witness: that was on the 6th
Defense corrects himself
Defense: 24/9/2012, $45,308 and on 11/10/2012, $130,400 were transactions carried out
Witness confirms that those are the only transactions made on said page
Defense: page 21 on 18/12/2012, $4,153. Defense draws witness attention to a major transfer of $560 on 17/1/2013
Defense: Now page 22.
Witness : there is no major transfer there
Defense: That's all as far as that doc is concerned
Defense: the narration in all these is dt d only name to which those transfers are made is American Express Services Ltd Europe
Witness: That's the destination of the transfers
Defense to Justice: destination as in where the money is transferred to
Defense: I will ask you general questions regarding GTB letter on page 37 of the Exhibit for count 12
Defense: in other words gtbank by its letter of 1/4/2014 forwarded the certified true copies of instruments
Witness : That's correct.
Defense: I am more interested in the tekex messages
Witness: some were sent and relate to count 12
Justice Umar takes a look at his time
Defense: I could break even now my Lord
Justice Umar: We can take a break now to continue later refreshed & strong
Defense: page 21 on 18/12/2012, $4,153. Defense draws witness attention to a major transfer of $560 on 17/1/2013
Defense :we thank your Lordships for your indulgence. Thank you very much my Lord. 1:30 pm is fine for reconvergence
The tribunal now calls for a 30 minutes recess to reconvene at 1:30 pm

Saraki's Trial: Heated Argument Ensues At Tribunal Today, Read Full Text Of Proceedings

At exactly 10:40AM, Justice Danladi Umar enters the court room as proceedings for the day begins. All rise!
And the matter before the tribunal is read out. SP bukolasaraki takes to the dock ‪#‎CCTvsSaraki‬

Rotimi Jacobs, lead prosecutor names 6 people as companying the prosecution team as usual while Defense counsel Ajibola Oloyede, reads out names of about 51 lawyers on their team

Defense wants to draw the CCT for a motion they earlier filled. Prosecution says the matter for the day is cross examination
Rotimi Jacobs says defense lawyer Ajibola Oloyede tried to serve him a motion yesterday
Prosecution says Oloyede has never appeared before the tribunal b4 & d motion should have been filed thru lead defense counsel
Prosecution says Oloyede also served his lead defense counsel motion the same time his was served
Prosecution says there was no address of the lead defense counsel on the new motion Oloyede wanted to file
Prosecution: as at the time Oloyede filled the motion, he was not a counsel here. This motion is not right for hearing here
Prosecution: as at the time Oloyede filled the motion, he was not a counsel here. This motion is not right for hearing her
The motion in question says Justice Umar is still under investigation by the EFCC
Justice Umar: that motion has no business in this tribunal.
Oloyede tries to speak and Justice asks him to sit down!
Prosecution urges his Lordship to be patient with him as he will attach every relevant document to the motion Oloyede filled
Justice Umar chides members of the inner bar for not leading by example. 'How can you allow such a thing to happen', he asks
Justice Umar says Oloyede filled his motion as an individual and not as a counsel to the defendant
Justice Umar: that motion as long as the CCT is concerned is of no consequence is therefore thrown away
Justice Umar says members of the Bar are Ministers of Justice. Says it is 'so shameful and unfortunate
Oloyede says 'he is not aware that the lead counsel is not aware of the motion filled.
Oloyede : your Lordship has the right to rule over our application no matter how foolish or insignificant it may be

Defense: see? We are making progress.
The narration is exactly the same as the one mentioned before
Witness: When investigating this matter, I was asked to give account of everything found
Witness: from our investigation, every transaction relating to American Express Europe Services was computed.
Defense: like I said, the other entries on that sheet you are with relate to the charges on those major transfers
Witness: I said so earlier
Defense points witness to Page 7 11/11/2009 where $127,187.41 transaction was made. That is a major one right?
Witness: Yes my Lord
Defense: Alright
Defense: On 15/12/2009, $43,318.26 was another major transaction carried out right?
Witness: yes
Defense: On that same page, on 7/01/2010, $140,319.04 was another major transaction carried out right?
Witness: That's correct
Defense: The rest of what is on that page are merely charges after every major transaction
Witness: Yes
Defense: In pg 6, on 18/2/2013, $97, 139.99 was the only major transfer to American Express. Correct?
Witness: Yes
(5)
Defense: I haven't asked the witness to read out every detail on the document. The prosecution is wrong on that
Defense: And my Lord, what if we add up all these numbers and they don't add up to the total stated by the witness?
Defense: He is the lead investigator. It isn't such a difficult thing to do, is it?
Justice Adatze cuts in and asks defense to cross examine witness on the particular transactions he has issues with
Defense points witness to numbers on the statement. Witness says they are charges on the transaction
Defense: there is one for $6.46.
Witness: those are charges on transactions
Defense: so you are saying they don't form part of the total amount?
Witness: I can't conform until it is recomputed.
Defense: let that be put on record
Witness repeats dt he can't confirm if charges form part of d amt indicated in counts 11/12
Justice Umar: Let's put this clear first. We are on count 12, isn't it?
Defense: yes My Lord
Defense points witness to page 5 where a transaction was done on 8/9/2009 for $127,174.05
Defense: the narration is swift transfer FX Dr Bukola Saraki /American Express Services Europe
Defense: there is another major transfer on 21/10/2009
Witness : That's another major transfer

Agabi: Please be patient with us my Lord. Be patient with him. I make mistakes. No one makes more mistake than myself
Agabi now draws inferences from his childhood and primary school education and how he overcame his weakness
Agabi: I have learned not to judge people by their appearance. My Lord, don't judge me by my mistakes
Umar explains that Oloyede ' s motion was filled, not when he was a member of the defense team and hence he thrashed it
Umar: I wanted to commit him in court for contempt but for the intervention of his colleagues. That's why he sits here
..continue reading from HERE

Source:Kenny Ola Adebanjo

No-Nonsense Tribunal Chairman Throws Saraki's Lawyer Out of Court; You'll Be Shocked Why

TheCable - Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has asked security to throw out Raphael Oluyede, one of the lawyers of Senate President Bukola Saraki, for talking back at him.

Umar also “threw away” an application by Saraki asking him to withdraw from his trial.

Speaking on the application, the CCT judge said: “This motion filed by a mere busybody legal practitioner is not accepted by this tribunal.

“Members of the inner bar, you are to guide him. How can you allow such a rubbish thing from him?

“This motion is of no consequence. As far as this tribunal is concerned is thrown away.”

A verbal melee had ensued when Oluyede asked the tribunal to give him room to speak on the application.

But Umar overruled his request and ordered him to sit down.

Oluyede refused to obey the order, a shouting match then started.

In the heat of the argument, an angry Umar ordered police officers at the tribunal to throw his “challenger” out.

The courtroom immediately broke into loud murmurs, and tension was palpable. However, the presence of security men stopped the situation from degenerating any further.

In the application filed by Oluyede, and seen by TheCable, the senate president asked Umar to disqualify himself from the case on the grounds that he was biased.

The application, which was filed on Wednesday at the CCT, read in part: “An order disqualifying/recusing the Honourable Justice Danladi Umar (Chairman of this tribunal) from sitting on the panel of this tribunal for hearing and determination of the charges filed in these proceedings for the reason that his continued presence on the said panel of this tribunal offends the provisions of section 36 (1) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which prescribes that ‘In the determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such manner as to secure its independence and impartiality.’

“A likelihood of bias by the tribunal against the appellant… undermines and withdraws from the tribunal, the jurisdiction which it is normally endowed….”

Saraki Perfects Another Trick To Stall CCT Trial

In a desperate bid to stall his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has filed another application before the Tribunal, to stop his ongoing trial on charges of alleged false asset declaration.

Dr Saraki is asking the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, to disqualify himself from the suit.

Punch reports that in the fresh motion filed before the CCT on Tuesday, the Senate President is asking Umar to disqualify himself from the trial on the basis that the tribunal chairman is allegedly under criminal investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He alleged in the motion that Umar would likely be biased in the handling of his trial since the EFCC which is allegedly leading the prosecution of the Senate President before the CCT is also investigating the tribunal chairman.

The application was filed before the CCT by Mr. Raphael Oluyede, who has not been part of Saraki’s defence team before the CCT.

Oluyede was the lawyer who filed the case seeking to stop Saraki’s trial but which was dismissed by Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday.

At Last EFCC Names Sources Who Expose Saraki's Atrocities, How He Looted LG Funds, Teachers' Salaries, Others

The first prosecution witness Mr. Michael Wetkas, on Tuesday said charges of false asset declaration against Saraki were a product of information leaked to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by whistle-blowers.

Wetkas, who completed his three days of testimony on Monday, is an EFCC operative who led the inter-agency team which investigated the allegations leading to the charges preferred against Saraki.

He said while being cross-examined by the Senate President’s lead defence lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Tuesday that his team was set up in 2014 after which the EFCC’s management briefed him and his colleagues on the team about the “intelligence” received on Saraki.

Fielding questions from Agabi, the witness said though he did not get to see the intelligence report received by the EFCC management, the documents attached to it, such as Saraki’s statement of account and telex transfers, were handed to his team.

“This investigation is an offshoot of the analysis of the intelligence report we received,” he said.

After the defence lawyer faulted the claim, contending that there was no intelligence report received by the EFCC, the witness said, “I did not say that the CCT cannot see the report.

“I am under oath and if there was no intelligence, I wouldn’t have come to this court and testify.”

“Intelligence sometimes comes orally, sometimes it comes in writing submitted to authorities of the commission by whistle-blowers.

“In this particular case, I said this under oath, documents were handed over to my team with a briefing.

“Those documents formed the take-off of the investigation by my team in 2014.”

During the cross-examination, the witness confirmed that one of the two other members of his team, Nura Bako, was present in court during the Tuesday’s proceedings.

He stated, “The investigation by three of us in my team was based on intelligence and the documents. We were also told that there were also ongoing investigations by other teams with respect to the defendants by the commission.

“The intelligence revealed to us a lot of assets acquired by the defendant and we liaised with the Federal Government and the Code of Conduct Bureau to conclude our investigation.”

When confronted with the asset declaration forms submitted by Saraki to the CCB in 2003, 2007 and 2011, Wetkas confirmed that they bore the stamp to show that they were examined by the bureau.

Earlier in his cross-examination on Tuesday, Agabi dwelt on the details of about four petitions tendered by the prosecution in the course of the trial, accusing Saraki of looting Kwara State’s treasury while serving as governor of the state between 2003 and 2011.

Agabi said he took the decision to cross-examine Wetkas on the petitions in order to challenge the contents and because they were tendered through the witness by the lead prosecution, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

Wetkas, in response to wide-ranging questions relating to the petitions asked by Agabi, insisted that the allegations contained in the petitions were not the basis of the investigation which his team conducted leading to the charges of false asset declaration preferred against Saraki.

The petitions, which he was confronted with by Saraki’s lawyer, were earlier admitted as Exhibits 10 to 13 by the tribunal.

The petitions, which were sent to the EFCC in May and June 2012, were authored by a group, Kwara Freedom Network.

Wetkas confirmed under cross-examination that the petitions were written about one year after Saraki left office as Governor of Kwara State.

He confirmed that none of the petitions had to do with the allegation of false asset declaration which is the subject matter before the tribunal.

In the petition dated May 2, 2012, marked Exhibit 10, the petitioners asked the EFCC to probe alleged fraud in the management of Shongai Farm Holdings.

Exhibit 11 is a petition addressed to the EFCC and dated May 2, 2012.

The petition appealed to the EFCC to “save  Kwara State primary schools from total collapse”.

It was alleged in the petition that teachers’ salaries were inflated by Saraki and through the alleged fraud, he (Saraki) was able to receive more than the necessary allocation for teachers’ salaries.

Wetkas, while responding to a question, said he did not obtain the statements of the signatories to the petitions – Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo and Alhaji Hassan Atanda – because they were not material to the investigation which his own team conducted.

Exhibit 12 is a petition against Saraki dated May 2, 2012, which was also addressed to the EFCC.

The petition asked the EFCC to investigate borrowings by the Kwara State Government for projects described as “phoney”.

Exhibit 13 is a petition dated June 7, 2012, which was addressed to the EFCC and copied the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, the Presidency and the Kwara State House of Assembly.

The petition accused Saraki of misuse or misappropriation of monthly revenue account of the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State.

While ending his questions on the petitions to Wetkas,  Agabi said, “I put it to you that all the agencies did not take any action on it because on the face of it, the petition was frivolous.”

Meanwhile, the CCT chairman, Umar, on Tuesday adjourned the case at about 6.38pm till Wednesday (today) after he overruled another request by the defence team for a one week adjournment.

The defence had sought the adjournment to enable its team to study some documents tendered by the prosecution and admitted by the tribunal on Monday.

But Umar said the tribunal, having ruled on Monday that the trial would proceed on a day-to-day basis, as stipulated under Section 396 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, it could not turn round to take any contrary decision on the matter.

“The tribunal cannot approbate and reprobate,” he held.

Punch Newspaper

Drama As Saraki's Lawyer Clashes With Tribunal Judge, Says He Might Die If The Trial Continues

The trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki on Tuesday took a dramatic twist as the Senate President’s lead lawyer, Kanu Agabi engaged the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar in a heated argument over adjournment of the trial.

This happened shortly after the tribunal resumed sitting after the matter was stood down for over one hour.

Upon resumption of sitting, Agabi moved for the adjournment of the matter to allow him time.

Agabi said, “My lord, we need time to rest, you worked so hard as a lawyer and till now still working hard. We need time to rest.

“This profession is destroying its professionals as we are made to sit in for a whole day during some proceedings. I know many of my colleagues who have died and their wives are now widows because of this kind of action.

“All I ask for is an adjournment to allow us rest.

“As early as 2am, I’m in my office preparing for this matter so I beg for time.”

But the tribunal Chairman who was becoming furious turned down the appeal, saying the matter is a summary one and as such must go on.

“We just got back from break and you are asking for an adjournment?

“This matter is a summary one and we want to get it done with as soon as possible.

On the matter taking a whole day, Umar said, “This is the price we have to pay, the matter must continue today.”

Cross-examination of the witness continues.

Insult Upon Injury? CCT Chairman, Keeps Saraki Waiting For Hours ‘Without Apology’, Read Updates

Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Tuesday kept Senate President Saraki waiting for an hour and 40 minutes.

Saraki, who had briefly presided over the senate, arrived at the CCT at 12pm.

Umar had announced on Monday that the trial of the senate president for false declaration of assets would continue at 12pm on Tuesday. But he arrived at 1:40pm, keeping Saraki, senators, lawyers, journalists and some guests waiting.

The CCT chairman did not offer an explanation or an apology for his lateness. He just sauntered straight into the courtroom and asked registrar to call the case.

Although this is not the first time the CCT chairman has come late to court since the trial started, it is the first time he is arriving the courtroom later than 30 minutes after the scheduled time.

TheCable

Saraki’s Trial: Drama As Bible, Quran, Moses, Pharaoh Take Over Court Proceedings

The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki on a 13-count charge of false assets declaration assumed a religious coloration  for a few minutes on Monday with the Quran,the Bible and Moses making incursions.

The descent into  religion began when Mr. Umar shortly after the court resumed from a short adjournment informed the defence team that their request for day to day records of the court  proceedings can no longer be entertained as it is becoming too burdensome on the registry of the Tribunal.

Mr. Umar also said asking the court to produce the day to day records of proceedings is not in accordance with the rule of court.

“We are not going to abide by notice of proceedings day by day. We are not bound to give you records of proceedings day by day,” said Mr Umar.  He added that the defence can only demand for the records of the court if they are going on an appeal.

But he had hardly finished when Kanu Agabi, the lead defence counsel rose up in protest. “My Lord, the Quran said it is not good anytime you raise up your hand, it comes down empty,” Kanu, a Pentecostal Christian said.

“Everyday, we raised our hands to you, we returned empty,” the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said implying that the Chairman of the Tribunal always turned down the request of the defence team.

Mr. Umar, a Muslim quickly interjected that he has been conducting proceedings at the Tribunal in a very fair manner.

And to also justify his action, Mr. Umar said before God, he will weigh plausibility  of any request before granting it and even if the request will be granted it may not be immediate.

To back up his claims, he also made allusion to the Bible, pointing out that when Moses asked God to destroy Pharaoh, the request was granted but it took 40 years for it to manifest.

He added that producing the day to day records of proceedings will be too burdensome as it will mean the court registry staff would have to wait behind after the court closes at 6 pm, especially now that the trial will be conducted on a day to day basis to type it.

“At times you finish by 5 pm and you expect the registry to wait and type, it is too burdensome,” he said.

Paul Usoro, SAN a member of the defence team further tried to persuade  Mr Umar to change his mind.

Usoro said it is not true that the court records can only be applied for when the parties are going on an appeal.  “This is a major trial and it is important that the records are available to the defence,” Usoro said.

The Chairman stuck to his gun, insisting that it will not be possible to provide daily records to the defence team if the trial is being done day by day.

But the defence said they are not the ones that imposed the day to day rule.

But Justice Umar insisted that the court will make   day to day the records of the court available and that the defence can apply  for it after a week.

TheNews

Senate In Fresh Plot To Scuttle Saraki's Trial, Summons Tribunal Judge, What The Fearless Judge Said Will Shock You

Senators may have set the stage for a major confrontation between them and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over Senate President Bukola Saraki’s trial for alleged falsification of assets.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions yesterday summoned CCT Chairman Justice Danladi Umar over allegations of corruption against him.

The invitation, coming on a day Justice Umar said Saraki’s trial will run daily,  appeared a new twist to the matter.

In a letter signed yesterday by the Clerk of the Committee, Freedom Odolo,the Senate asked Justice Umar to appear unfailingly by 2pm on Thursday.

But Justice Umar replied the committee that he has a court sitting on Thursday and throughout the week.

He said he would not be available until after the court sittings, which is on Saraki’s trial.

The invitation letter was delivered to the CCT chairman shortly after he ruled that the tribunal will be sitting daily from 9am to 6pm.

The committee said: “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.

“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.”

A source said: “The battle line is drawn between the Senate and the CCT chairman. Some Senators are angry over his decision to allow the tribunal to sit from 9am to 6pm.

“They saw the CCT Chairman’s decision as a plot 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.

“Shortly after the CCT chairman decided to be sitting daily till 6pm,  a letter came from the Senate Committee inviting Justice Umar on the outstanding petition against him.”

But a source in CCT said: “The judge has asked the Registrar of the tribunal to write the Senate committee that he has a court sitting on Thursday and throughout the week and won’t be able to honour the summons.

“The CCT Chairman’s letter was sent last night to the committee.”

TheNation

The Account Of Saraki's CCT Trial Today, How He Purchased Ikoyi Residence – Witness Explains

The prosecution led by Rotimi Jacobs has tendered Assets Declaration Form of Nigeria’s senate president, Bukola Saraki as evidence and it has been accepted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal led by its chairman, Danladi Umar.

The defence as usual reserves its objection to the document.

Led in evidence by Jacobs, Michael Wetkas, the first prosecution witness said 15A Macdonald Ikoyi was bought from the Presidential Implementation Committee on sale of FG Properties in the name of Tiny Tee Ltd.

He told the court that the defendant declared 15A and 15B as his property, but when EFCC wrote to Presidential Committee to verify the property, they responded that from their records, the property is no 15, Mcdonald Ikoyi Lagos and another one is Flat 1-4 Macdonald, Ikoyi Lagos.

The letter to the Implementation Committee on Sale of Federal Government Properties from the Investigation team and their response was tendered in court.

The witness said Tiny Tee paid 75 per cent cost of the property which is N123, 750 million from the account of Skyview Properties in Access Bank, then Intercontinental Bank.

When asked by the prosecution counsel who is the owner of the company, Wetkas said Saraki has declared the Company as his own.

He however said the Implementation Committee could not provide a copy of the draft for the payment and Access Bank too could not get a copy of the draft, but instead they referred his team to the Skyview Properties Ltd account in Access Bank where the draft was cleared and also furnished his team with the certificate of the account and opening packages for the account.

Certificate of Identification, Account opening packages, draft for the payment tendered and accepted court.

PM News

CCT Verdict: PDP's Ekweremadu Takes Over The Senate Presidency

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu may from now to take charge as the de facto Senate President following the new verdict by the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar earlier today that henceforth, the corruption trial of the embattled President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki will now be on daily basis from 10am to 6pm.

The new modus operandi means the Senate President will always be present at the tribunal every day during the stipulated time and will have no time for any legislative functions.

Justice Danladi Umar of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT has ruled that the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki will henceforth be conducted daily. 

At the resumed hearing today April 18th, Justice Danladi Umar based the decision on provisions of sections 376 and 315 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015. 

“Let me state it here for both the prosecution and the defence that the trial of the defendant shall proceed on a day-to-day basis till the conclusion of this matter and it will begin from 10am to 6pm” he said

He said the court would on each day of the trial go on break at 1pm and 4pm

Meanwhile, before today's verdict at the CCT, the Senate President has delegated his powers to his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu during the last week to preside over the controversial CCT/CCB Acts. A move some analyst perceived as means to shield the Senate President

New election may not hold until the Senate President officially resigns