‎CCT Ruling Was Predetermined And Self-Serving – NNPCG

The Thursday ruling at the Conduct of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by its Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar on the trial of the President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki  has been described as a low point in the nation’s judicial system which has exposed the double standard in its procedure.          

The Nigeria Needs Positive Change Group (NNPCG) made the assertion in reaction to the refusal of the Tribunal to discharge and acquit the number three citizen, of allcharges brought against him.

In a signed statement by its Secretary, Mr. Jide Jokotade, NNPCG lamented that “even the fact that the court  unequivocally admitted flaws in a similar case involving a former Governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was a strong testimony that the judgment was predetermined”  

In the statement issued in Ilorin Thursday  and made available to newsmen, the group  reinforced that “one of the key ingredients of legal decisions is standardization,  equity and fairness but unfortunately this pronouncement was predetermined and self serving and has only observed these elements in the breach. 

There is no doubt the  tribunal has betrayed the public thrust reposed  in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

The NNPCG insisted that for Justice Danladi who said ” we admit that the CCT took an erroneous decision in a similar case that involved the former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and “still went ahead to deny the defendant his right to justice leaves much to be desired”. 

As  umbrella of change which President Muhammadu Buhari has committed himself onto, “our hope in the judiciary  has become shaky and doubtful that the sanctity of justice and fairness in which lies the hope of an average Nigerian has been compromised for personal gains and aggrandisement, premised on political vendetta”. 

Jokotade maintained that,  “we strongly believe  that  ‎the CCT Chairman compromised the integrity of the Tribunal and the Judiciary because 24 hours to  his judgment laced  with hate and bias it was echoed in THE NATION NEWSPAPER OF WEDNESDAY MARCH 23, 2016 edition and he actualy played out the script in his biased ruling today.”

“We condemn in strong terms and reject the Justice Danladi Umar ruling in  its  entirety and we wish to place on record that whatever is the outcome of this predetermined and kangaroo trial, it is living up to its billing as a politically motivated persecution designed to destroy the budding political career of an astute  politician who Almighty God has ordained and annointed”.

The group re-echoed ‎ its position that was earlier canvassed  that the CCT should re-arraign Chief Bola Tinubu to answer to the charges preferred against him because it is the same Tribunal and the same Judge that has delivered different rulings in a very similar matter. Otherwise the world shall laugh at us as a nation”.