There has been a commotion at today’s session of the daily trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki for alleged false declaration of assets. The drama played out when Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Hon. Danladi Umar, asked security operatives to throw out one of Saraki’s lawyers, Raphael Oluyede, 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.

•Adapted from TheCable report. Photo shows CCT Chairman Danladi Umar.