N10m Bribe: CCT chair, Danladi Umar, petitioner absent at Reps Probe

The probe of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar over allegation of corruption by the House of Representatives was yesterday stalled due to the absence of the Anti-corruption Network, which petitioned the House against the judge.
The House committee on public petitions headed by Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta consequently decided to adjourn the investigative hearing to the 9th and 10th of December.
It will be recalled that the Anti-corruption Network had in the petition, alleged that former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke had recommended two persons, among who was the current CCT Chairman, to be arrested and investigated for alleged corruption.
The petitioner specifically alleged that the CCT Chairman misappropriated one million naira for his own wedding, another N4.2 million for external light bulbs, as well as the award of fictitious contract for the supply of office furniture and fittings in the sum of N11.4 million among others, praying the House to cause to immediate arrest of the Chairman.
Though the Chairman of the CCT, leading other staff of the Tribunal was in attendance, Abonta appealed that “in practice of fair hearing and transparency, it may not be proper for to allow the respondent to make presentation. We have to give the petitioner the opportunity to be heard.”
Abonta said in the opinion of the committee, the petitioner is not faceless, and so must appear and defend its assertions.
According to him, the adjournment became more necessary as the new Attorney General of the Federation, whose input was needed too has written the committee to request for a week’s extension of the sitting so he could appear to make his presentation.
Umar, however refused to speak to the press as he left the venue of the investigation wihout uttering a word.
The petition was laid before the House on November 10 by the Chairman, House Committee on Army, Hon. Shawulu Kwewum, before being referred to the Hon. Nkem Abonta-led committee for further action.

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