The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar has ordered the arrest of some ex-Councillors of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Teritory for failing to appear before CCT sitting in Abuja.
The order for Bench Warrant followed the former lawmakers’ contempt of Court, having failed to make themselves available on 5th October, 2021 despite being served Hearing Notices in respect of their trial for their assets declaration related issues.
In a letter of Notification which was sighted by CAPITAL POST in Abuja dated 4th October, 2021 and which was signed by the Director of Legal of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mrs Bintu G. Abubakar, parties were notified of the Tribunal proceedings of 5th October, 2021 and also a Hearing Notice was earlier issued to the defendants on the 23rd of September 2021.
At the Tribunal sitting on 5th of October, neither the defendants nor their Counsel were in court. This situation made Justice Umar order for their arrest and production by the Police, compelling them to appear at the next adjourned date of 23rd November, 2021.
The defendants as listed on the Notification of sitting mentioned supra are:
FGN – Vs Duda T. Ismaila, Yunusa Sabo Salihu, Dantani Musa, Maikasuwa Dangona Magaji, Samson Gomna Waziri, Karfe Agbeji Hassan, Zephaniah Musa and Disah Iliya D. The matter was for arraignment.
However, all the defendants disobeyed the notice of the Tribunal duly served on them in line with the Court procedures.
The Tribunal had no option than to accede to the request of the Prosecution to order for the arrest and production of the defendants before the Tribunal at the next adjourned date being 23rd November 2021.
