Legislators summon CCT Chairman over corruption allegations

Umar was summoned on Monday, April 18, 2016, by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and asked to appear before it by 2pm on Thursday, April 21, The Nation reports

The invitation was contained in a letter sent by the Clerk of the Committee, Freedom Odolo.

The letter reads:

“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’s summon is said to be connected to Umar’s order, also on Monday, that Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s trial before the tribunal should hold every day.

“The battle line is drawn between the Senate and the CCT chairman. Some Senators are angry over his decision to allow the tribunal to sit from 9am to 6pm,” a source told The Nation.

“They saw the CCT Chairman’s decision as a plot to deny Saraki any opportunity to preside over the Senate plenary throughout his trial. Now, these Senators have also launched a counter-attack against the CCT chairman by revisiting the outstanding petition against the judge.

“Shortly after the CCT chairman decided to be sitting daily till 6pm, a letter came from the Senate Committee inviting Justice Umar on the outstanding petition against him,” the source added.

Umar is however said to have told the Senate that he can’t appear before it because the tribunal will have a sitting on the chosen day.

Saraki is facing trial on charges of asset declaration fraud which were brought against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in 2015.

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