Reps reject Justice Umar’s request to abandon N44.5m corruption charges

House Committee on Public Petitions has declined to grant the request of the chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar to abandon the N44.5 million corruption charges levelled against him by the Anti-Corruption Network.

Danladi, who arrived at the venue of the public hearing at about 11.30am, urged the Uzoma Nkem – Abonta’s committee to declare the petitioning abandoned, following non-appearance of the petitioner.

He said: “As a matter of fact, we have great respect for this institution that is why we have been here all these while. We do really have tight schedule of work in our office including judgements and administrative works to do. We have been here since 11:30am, the last time we were here at 12, but it appears they are not serious about this.

“So, we implore this honourable House to consider this petition abandoned because if they are serious they would have been here.”

Speaking earlier, Olusegun Abereoran, director of operations for Anti-Corruption Network, pleaded for additional seven days to enable the executive secretary of the network prepare his brief as stipulated in the invitation letter sent by the Clerk of the Committee.

While ruling, Nkem-Abonta, chairman of the committee, after listening to both parties and consultation with members of the committee, frowned at the failure of the petitioner to present his brief on the scheduled dates.

While threatening to sanction the petitioner if he falls to appear on the next hearing, Nkem-Abonta said: “We seriously take exception to this attitude because justice delayed is justice denied, and we have no reason to drag man or group of individuals on frivolous excuses.

“We must all have regards for the people that appear, we should understand that others are busy and must be working. We are pursuing an era of change where impunity is no longer the order of the day and people must take responsibility for their liability and actions.”

While responding to Justice Umar’s request, Nkem-Abonta said: “We reasoned with you. Ordinarily, it should be deemed abandoned if the Anti-Corruption group fail to appear. Therefore, they should be able to get a person to prosecute this petition. But for the reason of clarity, openness and transparency, I will crave your indulgence to offer one more adjournment, till Tuesday, 15^th December 2015.”