AGF: There is Insufficient Evidence to Prosecute CCT Chairman

Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami,

FG to constitute National Prosecution Council
Damilola Oyedele in Abuja and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has revealed that the federal government lacks sufficient evidence to prosecute the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Umar.

Malami also revealed that a National Prosecution Council (NPC) to be constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari was underway.
The AGF said this was because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  had investigated the petition against Umar, and concluded in its report that the allegations against him were mere suspicions.

The Anti-Corruption Network (ACN), in its petition submitted to the House of Representatives, had accused Umar of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N44.5 million.

The group had accused the Office of the AGF of persecuting the co-accused in the initial petition,  one Mr. Ali Gambo  Abdullahi, and neglecting to persecute Umar.
Malami, appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions yesterday, confirmed that the ministry did receive the petition.

“Drawing from the conclusions, it became difficult for any prosecution to be initiated based on the basis of facts as they were presented. The position of the office of the AGF is that in the absence of further material fact in the allegation,  we find it very difficult to prosecute Umar in the circumstances against the background of his presentation and the further conclusion arrived at by the EFCC,” he added.
The Executive Secretary of the ACN, Mr. Ajulo Ajulo, in his presentation, insisted that Umar was guilty of the allegations leveled against him.

“Chairman, they should provide the original copy of their capital vote book advance payment book; and other vouchers from 2011 to date,” he said.

The CCT Chairman, again denied all the allegations against him which include appropriation of N1 million for his wedding from the coffers of the CCT, N4.2 million for external light bulbs, fictitious contract for supply of office furniture and fittings for N11,430,000, and purchase of Toyata Prado SUV for N15,273,000.

Speaking before he adjourned the hearing, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Nkem Abonta, directed the AGF to provide documentation backing his claims that the EFCC did a thorough job in its investigations.
Meanwhile, Malami, while speaking at a reception organised in his honour by the Kano State branch  of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)  revealed that NPC to be constituted by President Buhari was underway.

He explained that the body of judicial ‘wise-men’ would consist of legal practitioners with integrity drawn from all parts of the federation.
According to him, the council members are expected to make up a prosecution team to handle high profile corruption cases on behalf of the federal government besides serving as a think-tank to advise on cases involving highly placed individuals and institutions among other responsibilities.

“Let me use this opportunity to reveal that as a matter of policy, it is the desire and intention of this government under President Buhari to put in place a national prosecution team comprising lawyers of integrity across the nation for the purpose of prosecuting high profile corruption cases. This is before the Federal Executive Council and I assure you Kano NBA will have a share of it,” he hinted.

The AGF who admitted that he was proud to have been a member of the Kano State branch of the NBA, further disclosed that the federal government would not waiver in its determination to fight corruption to standstill in the country with all legal instruments within its disposal.

“I am happy to be in your midst today and I am grateful to Kano branch that afforded me the opportunity to serve as the secretary of the association years back...”, recalling that when he was conferred with the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as well as when he aspired to be governor of Kebbi, his state of origin; the Kano NBA lent him support.

“Also now, when I was appointed as AGF, Kano branch as well as individuals, especially prominent members, were the first to congratulate me and offered me words of advice. Up till this day, they are readily available to support me,” Malami stated.
In his speech earlier, Chairman of the NBA, Kano State branch, Mr. Ibrahim Umar, advised the attorney-general to lay emphasis on harmonising the judicial sector as well as ensuring enforcement of court judgments.

In their various goodwill addresses, three eminent legal practitioners, Mr. A.B Mahmoud (SAN), a former Attorney General of Kano State, Professor Muhammad Tabiu, a  teacher in the department of law, Bayero University, Kano, as well as Dr. Lawan Mamman Yusufari, a one-time chairman of NBA, Kano branch all eulogised the AGF and expressed their confidence in his ability to succeed in office.