Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr. Danladi Umar, used the opportunity of a fresh application for self disqualification from the trial of Senate
President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on allegations of false and anticipatory asset declaration to open a deep seated old animosity with a lawyer to the accused, Prince Ajibola Raphael Oluyede.
Mr. Danladi Umar was the beneficiary of a property bought by Ajibola Raphael Oluyede’s father in Abuja during the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. The lawyer’s father, Professor (Oba) Peter Adetumbi Oluyede was a member/Judge of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, on which he served for more than twenty years.
Umar was brought in as a rookie judge and used to dispossess and given a house bought by Professor Oluyede. He acted in concert with the former FCT Minister, Nasir El-Rufai and the then Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Constance Momoh. The past less than wholesome conduct from Umar was said to have fuelled his unrestrained anger at the trial of Senator Saraki on Thursday when he openly displayed judicial intolerance and rascality by temperamentally asking the police to escort Prince Ajibola Oluyede out of his court.
Oluyede had merely said that there were enough grounds and facts of a cosy relationship between Justice Umar and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that made it compelling and reasonable for him to stand down from handling the matter.
On Thursday, one of his counsels, Rapheal Oluyede, who was appearing for the second time at the tribunal, rose up shortly after appearances were announced and attempted to introduce a motion which he said had been communicated to the tribunal on Wednesday.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, objected strongly to the motion, and interrupted Mr. Oluyede.
The tribunal chairman dismissed the motion swiftly.
“That motion as far as the tribunal is concerned is of no consequence; not worthy to be entertained and is hereby thrown away,” said Mr. Umar.
The tribunal soon became rowdy as the counsel holding brief for Kanu Agabi, Mr. Saraki’s lead counsel, insisted they be heard.
After making his point, Mr. Oluyede got into a fierce argument with Mr. Danladi and was almost escorted out of the tribunal by the police, following the order of the tribunal chairman, before Mr. Jacobs intervened and pleaded with Mr. Danladi to calm the situation.
Danladi Umar hated Professor Peter Oluyede. Now he has transferred his frustrations and aggressions to Oluyede’s son and prominent lawyer, Ajibola Raphael Oluyede.