ABUJA (Conduct Tribunal Report)
The Code of Conduct Tribunal has on May 5, 2015 resumed hearing on the case involving Jeremiah Timbut Useni (General), who is the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The report from the Publicity Department of the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday May 6, 2015 revealed that the case has been pending in the tribunal since year 2000 without the presence of the accused.
The Publicity Department stated that the Chairman of the tribunal Danladi Yakub Umar (Justice) frowned at the Defence Counsel for not having the accused in court for the past 16 years when the case was instituted. Adding, the Defence Counsel, V. Odjemu argued that his client did not refuse to appear in court in disrespect to the tribunal, but that there are valid reasons for being absent from the court over the period and these have been presented before the court.
According to the report, the Lead Prosecuting Counsel, Peter Danladi, who is the Chief State Counsel prayed the tribunal sitting in Abuja for adjournment of the case to enable him consult with the Attorney General of the Federation on whether or not to proceed with the case. “The matter was adjourned for reporting to May 14, 2015 and the court ordered that the accused must appear on the adjourned date unfailingly,” the report indicated.
In another development, the report hinted that the tribunal instituted a bench warrant against Stanley Venibo, who is the former Chairman of Akuru Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State for not being in court; inferring that the Chairman of the tribunal assisted by a member of the tribunal, Atedze William (Justice) unanimously issued out the arrest warrant against him for disrespecting the court summon.
“The matter was adjourned for preliminary objection to be argued, but neither the Defense Counsel nor the accused were in the court. The matter was adjourned to May 14, 2015 to be produced by the Acting Inspector – General of Police at the adjourned date. Stanley Venibo was summoned for breach of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act on August 27, 2013,” the Publicity Department noted.
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