The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has yesterday requested the presence of the CCT Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar over allegations of corruption against him.
This may in days to come set the stage for a major confrontation between the Senate and the Code of Conduct Bureau especially as the Code of Conduct Tribunal has denied Saraki participation in Senate sitting based on the daily trial of his case which will run from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
In the letter addressed to the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, by the Clerk of the committee, Freedom Odolo, the Senate Committee requested Umar’s appearance on Thursdays by 2:00 pm.
In reply to the letter by the Senate Committee, the Chairman of the CCT said he would not be opportuned to grant his presence based on his court sitting on Thursday and throughout the week. Adding that he would not be available until after the court sittings.
The invitation letter delivered to the CCT Chairman shortly after he ruled on the daily Tribunal sitting in the ongoing Saraki’s case 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.”
According to a source, “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.
“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.”
A source within the CCT said: “The judge has asked the Registrar of the tribunal to write the Senate committee that he has a court sitting on Thursday and throughout the week and won’t be able to honour the summons.
“The CCT Chairman’s letter was sent last night to the committee.”