Asset Declaration: CCT Trial Of Custom Superintendent Begins June 28, 2018
BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar has fixed the trial of a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul over his alleged refusal to declare for June 28, 2018
Justice Umar fixed the day on Wednesday in Abuja following the absence of the customs chief to appear before the tribunal.
The Federal Government had dragged Abdul before CCT on the ground that he contravened the code of conduct for public officers by his refusal to declare his assets.
Although, the trial was slated for Wednesday, it could not go on owing to the absence of the defendant in court.
Counsel to the defendant, Barrister Sadat Liman pleaded with the Tribunal Chairman for the forgiveness of client’s failure to appear before him for trial, adding that must have been a mix-up in the date for the trial which may have confused the defendant.
In spite of the insistence of the prosecution counsel Barrister Kolawole Omotolani that Abdul was aware of the hearing date and had no cause to be absent at the tribunal, Justice Umar however considered the pleading of the defence counsel and push the trial forward till June 28, to enable the defendant appeared for trial.
Similarly, two other civil servants, Mohammed Adamu and Doho Muhammad who were also billed for trial on charges of non-declaration of assets were also absent at the tribunal on account of the wrong service of the charges on them.
Justice Umar however, fixed September 18, 2018 for the two civil servants to appear before him for their trial.
A statement from the CCT signed by Bajeh Onono Ni’ima on behalf of the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ibrahim Alhassan stated that the tribunal will resume the trial of the customs chief on June 28, 2018.
