Absence of Petitioner Stalls Probe of CCT Chairman in House of Reps

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, December 3rd, 2015

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja

The House of Representative Committee on Public Petitions investigating corruption allegations against the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, has adjourned its hearing to December 9 and 10 due to the absence of the petitioners, Anti-Corruption Network.

Committee chairman Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, said the adjournment became necessary in order for the petitioners to come and prove their allegations as well as to avail the the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) more time to prepare and also be present at the Hearing.

The House resolved to probe Umar based on a petition presented at plenary on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 by Hon. Rima Shawulu Kwewum (PDP, Taraba) on behalf of the group.

At the committee’s Hearing on Thursday, attended by Danladi Umar, Nkem-Abonta asked whether the petitioners were duly notified of the committee’s sitting and the clerk of the committee replied in the affirmative and presented proofs to the lawmakers.

After consultations by the committee members, the chairman ruled that the sitting be adjourned as one party cannot make presentation in the absence of the other, citing fair hearing.

He further directed the committee clerk to issue the petitioners with another hearing notice slated for next week.

It will be recalled that the petitioners had petitioned the House over alleged misappropriation of public funds by the CCT Chairman.