Senate Moves To Probe Minister Over failure To Prosecute CCT Chairman

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, November 24, has begun the investigation into the failure of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to prosecute the chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar over allegation of corruption.

Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami

The Upper Chamber received the petition alleging corrupt practices against Umar on November 5 and was submitted to the Ethics committee  for consideration, Daily Post reports.

The petition was presented by Ant-Corruption Network against the office of AGF faulting it failure  to prosecute Umar.

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The group petition reads in part: “We have become aware that the office of the Attorney-General has failed in this sacrosanct duty to Nigeria in one particular case and would like the office to explain why on June 24, 2014, the chairman of the Economic and Financial ‎Crimes Commission wrote an “investigation Report” to the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation (Ref No: EFCC/EC/JUS?07?117). The report was about evidence of criminal allegations against two suspects from Code of Conduct Tribunal, namely – (1) Hon. Justice Danladi Umar and Ali Gambo Abdulahi.

“The Attorney-General then instructed the chairman of EFCC by minuting on the same letter to proceed to prosecute the suspect. This was communicated in writing to the chairman EFCC with reference No. HAGF/EFCC/2014/Vol./19 dated 26 June 2014.

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“However, only the second suspect, Ali Gambo was prosecuted. The very first suspect who is the main suspect, Mr. Danladi has been left un-prosecuted. This is breach of the order of the AGF. Since then, the office of the Attorney General has been silent on this failure to prosecute as directed.”

It was learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier noted the Umar could not be prosecuted for allegation of N10 million bribery allegation because the evidence against the chairman of CCT was not weighty.

In a related development, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption had demanded for the immediate suspension of Umar as the chairman CCT over various allegations leveled against him.

The group noted that it was irresponsible for Umar to preside over any case, particularly corruption cases at the tribunal until the conclusion of his investigation by the EFCC.

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