Danladi Umar: under attack by the Senate Committee on ethics

Senators  unabashed by the scandalous spectacle of their president, Bukola Saraki, being docked at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for false assets declaration, have intensified wars of their own to embarrass and get even with the Chairman of the tribunal.

Apart from the brazen attempt to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau Act, the Ethics, Privileges  and Public Petitions Committee  has summoned the CCT Chairman  Danladi Umar to respond to a three-year old  allegation of corruption against him.

In a letter signed  by the Clerk of the Committee, Freedom Odolo,the Senate asked Umar to appear unfailingly by 2pm on Thursday, 21 April.

But Umar has replied the committee that he has a court sitting on Thursday and throughout the week. He said he would not be available until after the court sittings, which is on Saraki’s trial.

The invitation letter was delivered to the CCT chairman shortly after he ruled that the tribunal will be sitting daily from 9am to 6pm.

The committee said: “Your letter with reference number CCT/HQ/ 126/S/ 111/ 515 dated 1st April, 2016 in which you requested for more time to enable you attend the hearing was received.

“After due consideration of your request, the Committee rescheduled the hearing to give you at least two weeks from the 4th of April when you should have appeared.

“Accordingly, you are now required to appear unfailingly as follows: Thursday, 21st April, 2016, Meeting Room 120 New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex. Time: 2pm

“Please, remember to come personally along with 12 copies of any written submission you may wish to present.”

The senate investigation was on an old petition against Umar, which was investigated by the EFCC, with no charge filed against him at the end of the probe. The House of Representatives Committee on ethics tried last November to investigate the petition but got no where.House of Reps probe

Just like the hurried move to amend the CCB/CCT act, this latest move is also interpreted as a brazen attempt to intimidate the chairman of a tribunal trying the senate president, Bukola Saraki.

*Read TheNEWS report of September last year on the petition: EFCC probe of Danladi Umar