Agency denies clearing CCT chairman

chika ebuzor

April 27, 2016 6:59 AM

Some legal luminaries have argued that only the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has the power to exonerate somebody from an offence of this nature.

Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar.

The

An EFCC source who spoke to Punch said the letter did not say the CTT chairman was totally let off the hook.

The anti-graft agency reportedly issued a letter clearing the CCT chairman in the wake of protests calling for his withdrawal, based on a pending bribery case.

This was revealed to newsmen on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, by the CCT spokesperson, Ibrahim Alhassan.

The CCT chairman was accused of allegedly demanding a N10m bribe from a former Nigerian Customs officer, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo, who was standing trial before the tribunal.

The EFCC source said “Facts are being distorted by those who are afraid of their shadow. The letter, dated March 5, 2015, clearly explains that there was no sufficient evidence at that time to prosecute the judge. It is not an exoneration. The man (who wrote the letter) says there is no sufficient evidence. The issue can come up again.”

The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki also faulted the issuance of the letter purportedly by the EFCC clearing Umar.

Meanwhile, some legal luminaries have argued that only the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has the power to exonerate somebody from an offence of this nature.

The EFCC also denied reports that it recently named Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, its anti-corruption ambassador.

See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.

...................................................................................

chika ebuzor