Date: 2016-03-10

Barely 24 hours to the resumption of the trial of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, security has been strengthened arround the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar Danladi, who returned from the lesser hajj (Umrah) on Monday.

The security privilege is extended to his immediate family. The judge has barred visitors from his residence and restricted phone calls to only "essential family" members, sources said yesterday.

Saraki's trial will resume tomorrow. According to sources, more undercover security agents have been drafted to the residence and office of the CCT chairman.

It was also gathered that the heavy security ring around the CCT chairman is aimed at staving off pressure and allowing him a free hand to carry out his duties. It could not be immediately ascertained whether or not the extra security measures were at the instance of Justice Danladi.

Justice Danladi had in November 2015 written the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, for a security overhaul because of the many high profile cases being handled by CCT. The CCT judge also sent a copy of the letter to the Department of State Services (DSS).

A source said: "There is now an enhanced security around the CCT chairman and his family. "More plain-cloth agents have been drafted to his residence and office. His movement is now being well policed.

"I think this is due to the sensitive nature of the assignment. It is, however, not unusual because some judges who presided over 'sensitive Election Petitions Tribunals' enjoyed the same security cover."

Justice Danladi has barred visitors from his residence and office, until all high-profile cases are disposed of. "In fact, he has restricted his phone calls to only essential relations. Family members have been warned against unethical relationship," another source said.

The Supreme Court had affirmed the validity of the 13 charges preferred against Saraki and the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him. The prosecution, led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), is expected from March 11 to open its case by calling its witnesses. Those listed by the prosecution to testify against him are: Yahaya Bello, Michael Wetkas, Mustapha Abubakar Musa, Nura Ali Bako, Adamu Garba, Samuel Madojemu, Abdulrahaman Bayo Dauda and Nwachukwu Amazu.

A new counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi(SAN), a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, will be representing Saraki at the resumption of the trial. Many supporters of Saraki from Kwara State have arrived in Abuja to give what a source described as "moral support".

One of the supporters, Isiaka Baba, said: "We are hopeful that the President of the Senate will prove his case and he will be vindicated. We see the trial as a tribulation which any man can pass through. "Since the trial started, many of us have been coming from Kwara State and we will not stop until the case is finally determined."