Danladi Yakubu Umar Vs Senate: Court Rejects CCT Chairman’s Plea, Issues Order
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has refused the plea of Danladi Yakubu Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), to restrict the senate from investigating him.
Umar was invited by the Senate Committee Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, for allegedly assaulting a security guard, Clement Sargwak, at Banex plaza, Wuse, Abuja.
A CCTV recording had shown Umar assaulting a security guard for asking him to re-park his vehicle in March 29, 2021.
Following a summon by the senate, Umar approached the court, querying the powers of the Senate to investigate him in the alleged assault as according to him, it does not fall in to the constitutional duties of the Nigerian senate.
He requested for a court injunction “restraining the Senate, its members, and agents from conducting or continuing to conduct investigations into the allegations of assault leveled against him via a petition submitted to the Senate.”
Giving judgement on the matter on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, , Justice Inyang Ekwo said Umar failed to display high moral public standards by his conduct and with the Code of Conduct Bureau being a product of an Act ratified by the National Assembly, the Senate has powers to investigate his conduct.
Ekwo ruled that Umar’s suit lacked merit and is therefore ruled out.
He is expected to avail himself before the senate committee.
