Senate President Bukola Saraki has asked Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, to withdraw from his trial.

Saraki made this request in a motion filed by his lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) yesterday.

He cited bias on the part of the CCT chairman‎ as the reason for his motion.

This is the second time Saraki is filing such a motion.

As the case was called on Wednesday, Agabi told the tribunal that there was a motion before it which had to be taken first.

But, the prosecution counsel urged the tribunal to proceed with the business of the day- which was cross-examination.

Saraki’s counsel objected and said the‎ motion was critical and had to be considered first.

After listening to the arguments, Umar adjourned the trial to June 21 for hearing of the motion.

However, he caused a stir when he said that “the case will proceed” on the day of the hearing, implying he had already taken a decision.

‎Agabi pointed this out to him, but, he explained that he meant that his ruling would either go in favour of the defence or the prosecution.