Public hearing on raids of judges’ homes: No electricity in my office to print documented evidence – CCB Chairman
The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Sam Saba on Wednesday shocked Nigerians when he said absence of electricity in the Bureau premises hampered smooth operations of government activities in recent times.
Mr. Saba gave this mind blowing revelation when he appeared before the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee currently investigating the invasion of some Judges’ quarters by the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) on 7th and 8th October 2016.
Apparently making excuses for his inability to appear before the committee with documents to substantiate his submissions, the CCB Chairman said there has not been light in his office and as such could not have produced documents, especially the recommendations from the Attorney-General of the Federation, giving notice of the Judges that needed their assets declared.
He was, however, advised by the lawmakers to take his documents to the National Assembly Complex or business centers so as to submit them by 10am on Thursday, unfailingly.
On whether the DSS has the powers to raid or prosecute the Judges, the CCB Chairman said, “going by the above mentioned provisions, the SSS has power to arrest, investigate and prosecute any corrupt practices and no any other law has power to stop them because corruption constitutes a crime against internal security of the nation.”
However, when he was asked by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Garba Datti Mohammed that does wrongful and under declaration of assets not constitute crime against internal security of the nation; the CCB declined comments, saying he would consult his legal adviser before responding to the question.
After receiving loads of hot interrogations from members of the committee relating to his opinion, the CCB subsequently tendered apology and withdrew his statement.
The public hearing into the raids of some Judges’ homes by the DSS which started on Wednesday continues till Thursday, when various parties involved would have made appearances.
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