FG files charges against CCT chairman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday filed a two-count criminal charge against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Yakubu Umar.
Umar is in charge of the case involving the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, over allegations of false assets declaration.
The charge, number CR/109/18, dated January 25, 2018 and signed by Festus Keyamo (SAN), accused Umar, who is presiding over a case with Charge No. CCT/ABJ/03/12, involving one Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, of demanding for a bribe of N10 million from Taiwo sometime in 2012 in Abuja.
According to the charge, the alleged bribe was for procuring favourable judgment for Taiwo, an offence the EFCC said is contrary to Section 12(1)(a) & (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, DANLADI YAKUBU UMAR, being the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and presiding over a case with Charge No. CCT/ABJ/03/12, involving one Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, sometime in 2012, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did receive the sum of N1.8 million from the said Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, through your Personal Assistant by name, Alhaji Gambo Abdullahi, for a favour to be afterwards shown to him in relation to the pending Charge (No. CCT/ABJ/03/12) in discharge of your official duties and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 12(1)(a) & (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.”
In the charge, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the anti-graft agency relied on the petition dated June 20, 2013 by Taiwo, statement of the Defendant, Zenith Bank Statement of Taiwo and the Zenith Bank Statement of Ali Gambo Abdullahi.
Other documents relied upon to file the charge against the CCT boss are a copy of Zenith bank Cheque of Taiwo, copy of Zenith Bank Cheque of Abdullahi, all processes and documents in Charge No. CCT/ABJ/03/12, statements of witnesses and other relevant documents as well as the proof of evidence.