The new Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar told the Economic Confidential that the tribunal would speedy dispensation of Justice against unnecessary delays as well as immediately adjudicate on cases brought before it.
The chairman of the tribunal disclosed this after the swearing-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu at the Supreme Court. Other members of the Tribunal include Retired Justice Robert I.E. Odu and Barrister Atedze W. Aguadza.
Justice Danladi who is the youngest chairman to be so appointed for the tribunal at the age of 40, urged for collaborative efforts of all investigative agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offense Commission (ICPC) and Code of Code Bureau (CCB) in filing cases of public officers who breach the law on corrupt practice and embezzlement of public fund.
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He said some of the cases being handled by EFCC and ICPC ought to have been brought to the CCT for quick determination. According to him, the CCT is a court of summary trial and would not waste time in deciding most other cases that are before the EFCC and ICPC, insisting that the nation does not need a special court as being advocated in some quarters to deal with the cases of corrupt public officers. Justice Danladi while promising that the tribunal would discharge its responsibilities without fear or favour said justice delayed is justice denied.
The appointment of Hon. Justice Umar which went through the nomination and recommendation of National Judicial Council as well as Federal Judicial Service Commission before the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan was to bring in dynamism, vigour and energy of youthful leader to bear in dispensation of justice after he had successfully served as acting chairman of the tribunal before the recent confirmation.
Born on August 19, 1971 in Toro Local government of Bauchi State, Justice Danladi Umar, studied Law at the University of Maiduguri before his call to the Nigeria Bar in 1993. He had practiced in various reputable chambers including Ayinde Sani and Co, Ibrahim Umar and Co and Kanu Agabi and Associates before joining the Federal Civil Service as Senior Legal Officer Federal Ministry of Justice and later Assistant Legal Adviser in some ministries including the Federal Capital Territory and Culture and Tourism respectively. He was also a Chief Magistrate in Bauchi State
The new Chairman of CCT, in the course of his studies and working career has related and benefitted from the knowledge of highly respected international legal and judicial officers and earned experience that would enrich his position.
He hails from Toro local government area of Bauchi state and is married with children.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal has the power to impose punishments ranging from vacation of office and disqualification from holding any public office of elected or appointed officers found guilty of contravening any of the of the provisions of the Act, especially on misconduct and corrupt practices. It also has the power to seize and forfeit to the state of any property acquired in abuse or corruption of office.
