Tribunal orders General Useni to appear before it on July 16

The Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday ordered a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, retired Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni, appear before it on July 16.
The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Danlami Umar, gave the order while hearing the motion on notice filed by Useni, challenging the confiscation of his property by the Federal Government.
Useni is seeking an order of the tribunal to compel the government to release the title documents of his property that were confiscated in 1999.
Five of Useni’s assets were confiscated on behalf of the Federal Government between on October 4 and December 14, 1999.
Umar said that from the records before him, Useni had never appeared before the tribunal or the High Court and Appeal Court, where the case was initially handled 14 years ago.
He also observed that Useni’s counsel kept on giving excuses for the absence of their client in court throughout the period.
He said: “From the records before me, ever since the beginning of this matter 14 years ago, the accused has never appeared before the courts, which initially handled the matter up to the tribunal.
“He is asking for a leave of the tribunal, so he must make himself available unfailingly before the temple of justice at the next adjourned date of this case on July 16.”
Useni’s counsel, Victor Odjemu, had in a motion on notice, prayed the tribunal to order the Federal Government to release the documents to the tribunal, pending the determination of the case.
The former minister said it was only the tribunal that could order seizure and forfeiture of the assets of a public officer, confirmed to have breached provisions of its relevant laws.
Useni said the property were confiscated by the government without first obtaining an order of the tribunal or any other court and without employing any due process of law.
He said: “It is only after the said confiscation that the Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation, filed charges against my client.
“The interest of justice will be best served and the complainant will not be prejudiced by the granting of this application.”
He said the tribunal was the only court competent to handle the matter, and urged it to guard its jurisdiction and use it accordingly.
The counsel to the AGF, Simon Egede, who is Acting Director of Public Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice, leading five other lawyers, filed a motion of preliminary objection to Odjemu’s motion.
Egede urged the tribunal to dismiss the motion, adding that the tribunal was not competent to entertain the matter.
According to him, it is only a high court that has the exclusive jurisdiction to handle such case.
After hearing the submissions of counsel, adjourned the case to July 16 for ruling.