The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has lambasted the Federal Government over what it described as the “poor and shoddy manner” it is prosecuting the case of false assets declaration it preferred against a Supreme Court judge, Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta.
The Tribunal Chairman, Mr. Danladi Yakubu Umar also threatened to strike out the 10-count charge brought against the apex court Justice should government’s lawyer refuse to proceed with the trial on February 20, 2018
The anger of the tribunal was provoked when a lawyer Julius Kolawole announced his appearance for the Federal government and demanded for an adjournment of the trial.
Kolawole told the tribunal that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) had engaged a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Mr Abeni Mohammed to takeover the trial and that the new lawyer needed time to formally takeover the case.
At this point, the Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar cut in and demanded the whereabouts of the newly engaged lawyer. But he was told that the new lawyer was not present in court.
The Tribunal Chairman who was furious with the explanation reminded the government legal team that the matter was for definite trial, having suffered series of adjournments from the same government that brought the criminal charge against the supreme court justice.
Umar told the Federal Government legal team that his tribunal is a serious court for serious complainants and that any attempt to further scuttle the trial would be resisted and that the charge may be struck out.
The tribunal chairman however, granted the adjournment requested and shifted the matter for definite trial on February 20th with a warning that the charge maybe terminated that day should the Federal Government come up with any excuses to further abort the definite trial of the Supreme Court justice.
Danladi said: “The next adjouned that of February 20,2018 is for definite, definite, definite trial and we will not tolerate any further request for an adjournment. This is a serious court of justice that must be respected.”
Another member of the tribunal, Mr. Willaims Atedze lambasted the Federal Government for taking the tribunal for a ride over the laxity in the prosecution of the high profile case, as he noted that “one of the salient point in our law profession is that lawyers are supposed to be men of honors.
Contrary appears to be the case in this instant matter. This matter has been consistently adjourned at the instant of the Federal Government for not just cause and this is not good in any criminal trial.”
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Mr Kanu Agabi SAN stood for the defendant and was supported by another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Paul Erokoro.