- Calls for speedy inquest, suspension of Danladi Umar
Sequel to a viral video showing the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr. Umar and a member of his entourage assaulting a Security Guard at Banex Plaza in Wuse 2, Abuja Capital City, the Lawyers Network Against Corruption (LAWNAC) has called for his immediate suspension as Chairman of the tribunal.
In a statement issued by Henry Okolo, Esq, on behalf of LAWNAC, the group said: “Judges are expected to be the epitome of civility and moral turpitude. The constitutional Oath of Judicial Conduct mandates Judges to be patient, respectful and courteous to everyone in and outside the courtroom.”
“Occupants of the Bench must avoid all acts that erode respect for the courts, and confidence in the rule of law and public trust in the judiciary.”
“The actions of a Judicial Officer who undermines the Constitution amounts to gross misconduct and must be taken very seriously. We call on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately commence investigation and for Hon. Danladi Umar to step aside pending the conclusion of the investigation. If Mr. Umar fails to step aside, he should be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.”
“Article 15 (2) of Part 1 of the 5th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, which is in pari materia with Section 20 (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act provides that the Chairman of the CCT shall be a person who is qualified to hold office as a Judge of a superior court of record in Nigeria. In the same vein, Article 17(3) of the same Part 1 of the 5th Schedule which is reproduced verbatim in Section 22 (3) of the CCB Act also provides for the removal of the CCT Chairman for infirmity of the Body or Mind or Gross Misconduct.
“The assault of any Nigerian by a judicial officer is an assault on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is a violation of the Right to Human Dignity guaranteed by the Constitution and a gross violation of the last paragraph of the Judicial Oath by which the Chairman swore to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’. The time has come for the Nigerian Judiciary to purge itself of contaminants in the interest of preserving the Rule of Law and what is left of the Judicial system.
“There is enough evidence for LAWNAC to file a petition against Mr. Umar before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
“Nigerians should learn from the case of Judge Joe Brown. In 2015, a Florida State Judge, Joe Brown, was promptly fired by the Florida State Supreme Court for brawling in Court.”
An online video making the rounds had caught Danladi Umar violently assaulting a security guard at Banex Plaza in Abuja.
Umar attacked the guard, Clement Sagwak from Plateau State, with slaps after those that accompanied him to the shopping complex had physically assaulted the helpless security guard.
An eye witness recounted that Sagwak only requested Mr Danladi Umar to park his car properly at the Plaza’s car park, only for CCB Chairman to slap, pull him down and severally inflict bodily harm on him.
According to the eye witness: “The CCB Chairman, Danladi Umar was on the verge of almost further hitting the young security guard with a dangerous object gotten from his car, only for tenants and his colleagues at Banex Plaza to intervene and stop him from further assaulting and violently attacking the young security guard.”
Irked by the attack, One Love Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation engaged the services of an Abuja lawyer, Ihensekhien Samuel Jnr, who swiftly intervened and made legal representations at the Maitama police where the Mr. Umar had gone to lay complaint against the security guard.
Barr. Ihensekhien, disclosed that when the DPO of Maitama Police Station where a criminal complaint was lodged against the security guard saw the video recordings of the act, he swiftly ordered for the prompt release of security guard on bail.
Watch video:
