Reps probe N52m fraud allegation against CCT chairman

Danladi Yakubu (CCT Chairman) 

The House of Representatives on Tuesday asked its Committee on Public Petitions to investigate an alleged N44.5m fraud committed by the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr. Yakubu Umar.

Among the allegations was the payment of N1m in July 2011 from the coffers of the CCT to sponsor his wedding.

Umar was also alleged to have spent N15.2m to purchase a Toyota Prado Jeep “without following due process.”

The House gave the directive after a member from Taraba State, Mr. Rima Shawulu, laid a petition before the legislature detailing the alleged infractions of the CCT chairman.

However, the petition was authored by the Anti-Corruption Network, a non-governmental organisation.

The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.

In March 2011, Umar was said to have awarded contracts for the supply of office furniture and fittings in the sum of N11.3m.

The contracts were reportedly executed by a “supposedly engineering company and not a furniture or supply company.”

He also allegedly paid N4. 2m for the “purchase of welfare items” in a contract executed by a private individual.

Another N4.2m for the procurement of external light bulbs was described by the petitioners as “entirely fictitious contract.”

Other figures listed against Umar by the petitioners ranged from N1.5m to N3.7m.

The document was signed by the Executive Secretary of the network, Mr. Ajulo Ajulo.

By: John Ameh, Abuja

       (Punch News)