– There is no evidence to try him for allegation of bribery against him, the anti-graft agency said
– The EFCC said allegations leveled against him were mere suspicions and were insufficient to successfully prosecute the offence
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cleared Justice Danladi Umar, the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) of any culpability in the N10 million bribery allegation leveled against him.
Danladi Umar has been cleared by the EFCC
In a letter signed by the executive secretary of the commission, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremu, the commission said it has no evidence linking Umar to the bribery allegation made by a former customs officer, Rasheed Taiwo, a retired deputy comptroller general, The Nation reports.
The commission said the facts against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will not be sufficient to successfully prosecute him for the offence.
The anti-graft agency said it stood by a letter, EFCC/EC/ SGF /03/56 of March 5, 2015, which Ibrahim Lamorde, its former chairman wrote to ex-secretary to the government of the federation, Anyim Pius Anyim that there were no sufficient facts to prosecute Umar.
The letter read: “However, the facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute him for the offence.”
According to a top EFCC official, Uma cannot be prosecuted because the commission has no evidence to do so.
“We have reviewed the allegations against Umar and we have amplified the clearance given to Justice Umar. This position will not change until there is a contrary proof against the judge,” the source said.
On Wednesday night, April 20, the CCT confirmed receiving the letter from the EFCC clearing its chairman of the bribery allegation.
A statement by Ibraheem Al-hassan, the head of press and public relations of the CCT read: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has today conveyed a letter to the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Hon Danladi Yakubu Umar, exonerating him on the alleged N10million bribe by one AbdulRashid Owolabi, in his petition to the Commission.
“Today’s clearance letter was second to the previous one sent on the 5th March,2015 during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan through the office of the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Pius Anyim.”
Umar was investigated by the anti-graft agency over allegation that he demanded N10 million bribe from Owolabi, who was said to have had issues with the CCT.
On Monday, April 18, the Senate ethics committee summoned Umar to appear before it unfailingly on Thursday to answer questions on allegations of bribery against him. Many strongly criticised the Senate for summoning the CCT chairman, saying it had no powers to do say.
Two days later the Senate ethics committee made a u-turn and called off its plan to summon Umar.
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