FG queries Magu, Keyamo over fresh corruption charges against CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar

In a twist of event, the Solicitor General of the Federation, Dayo Apata has issued a query to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo over fresh corruption charges filed against the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar.
In the query dated February 16, 2018, with Reference No DPP/ADV:368/15, the Solicitor General wondered why the turn of heart in reversing self after twice rejecting filing charges against Umar on the grounds that no sufficient evidence to charge him.
The EFCC in two separate letters to the Federal Government through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had in 2015 and 2016 cleared Umar of any wrongdoing in the alleged N10 million bribery allegation made against him by a defendant, Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi standing trial before him on false asset declaration.
However, in the query, Magu was ordered to make his response to the query available to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018.
In what what seemed to be agencies of the Federal Government at each other’s throat and clash of interest, , the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice , who signed the query, asked Magu to explain what informed the filing of corruption charges against the Tribunal Chairman having been cleared of corruption allegation two times by the same agency.
In obvious strained relationship, the query titled: “FRN VS Danladi Umar (CR/109/18) request for Briefing,” reads in part: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.
“I am directed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to seek clarification from you as to whether the charges were filed on your instruction or directive and if in the affirmative, what is the compelling basis for doing so. This clarification becomes imperative in view of the following background facts.
“The Commission’s investigation report dated 5th March 2015 addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation stated as follows: “The facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the defence.
“The Commission’s position in paragraph 2(a) above was also maintained and sustained by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation while appearing before the House of Representatives’ Investigative Committee sometimes in 2015 to the effect that report of investigations showed that the allegations against Hon. Justice Danladi Umar were based on mere suspicions.
“In view of the foregoing, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation requests for your prompt briefing as to the existence of new facts which are contrary to the position in your attached investigation report, sufficient evidence or other developments upon which the prosecution of Hon. Justice Danladi can be successfully based.
“Kindly accord this letter top priority while your prompt response within 48 hours from the receipt of same is required in the circumstances.”
In a separate letter to Keyamo, who was purportedly engaged as a private lawyer by Magu to prosecute the CCT boss, he was also requested by the AGF to confirm who authorized him to file the corruption charge against Umar.
In the letter to Keyamo he was given till Tuesday February 20, 2018, to furnish the Office of the AGF in writing detail of who engaged or issued him with authority to file the corruption charges.
The letter to Keyamo with reference No DPP/ADV:369/15 dated February 16, 2018, which was also signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary read in part:
“The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that you have filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.
“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation hereby requests that you kindly furnish this office with the details of the instruction or authorization upon which you instituted the case under reference. Kindly accord this letter top priority while your prompt response on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018 is solicited in this regard.”
The EFCC had on February 2, brought a two-count charge against the CCT Chairman Danladi Yakubu Umar bordering on alleged receipt of N10m bribe from one Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo in the charge signed by Festus Keyamo as a private prosecuting counsel and one Offem Uket an official of EFCC.
Umar was accused of receiving N1.8mn through his Personal Assistant, Gambo Abdullahi for a favour to be afterwards shown to the petitioner who was standing trial for a criminal offence before the tribunal. Meanwhile, March 15 has been fixed for arraignment of the CCT boss at the High Court of FCT, Abuja.