The recent assault on a security guard at a shopping complex in Abuja by the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr Umar Danladi Umar, has been described by many Nigerians as “shocking, despicable and condemnable”.ThisNigeria stands by that characterisation of that ugly incident.
It is no doubt a shameful behaviour. It is improper and unexpected of a top ranking public officer, not the least a judge of Umar’s calibre.
According to reports, the CCT chairman was captured on camera physically assaulting the security guard at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja.
In the video which has gone viral, Umar was seen speaking angrily, scolding and shouting on the sentry, who only admonished him to park his vehicle well. Umar also reportedly launched a barrage of attacks on the young man, violently kicking him before he was restrained by the crowd. It took the intervention of the security aides of the enraged chairman to restrain him, as they forcefully shoved him into his vehicle. A big shame.
Expectedly, Mr Umar’s office (CCT) has reacted, through an uninspiring and error-ridden press statement.
CCT’s head of media, Ibraheem al-Hassan, in the poorly-written statement, not only denied the open show of shame which was videotaped, but rather accused the guard of assaulting his principal.
Al-Hassan said the chairman did not assault the guard ‘’but (he) was the one assaulted during the altercation”. In the dramatic response, the CCT spokesman fired another broadsides, saying, “The chairman did not assault the guard. The crowd assaulted the chairman.”
Essentially, this is not the time to join issues over who bullied who, as the CCT’s press release may want to push.
The video clip is in the public domain for anyone to consider. No matter how the media unit of the CCT wants to launder the chairman’s image, in the Banex episode, Umar’s ignoble conduct constitutes an unbecoming attitude of a revered judicial officer. The episode is a big embarrassment to the bench, and the public at large.
We demand justice for the security guard. We support the position of his counsel, Barrister Samuel Ihensekhien, who has resolved to pursue all legal angles in the matter.
No matter how highly placed, no Nigerian of whatever rank has the right to assault anyone on account of his kind of job or social standing.
ThisNigeria demands a thorough investigation into the ugly incident. We call for justice and nothing less.
A proper probe will certainly ascertain the general disposition and well-being of Mr Danladi Umar, which calls for questioning and examination.
There is need to establish the current state of health of a judge who will descend from the Olympian heights to brawl in the public with a security guard. This call is germane because, in saner climes, such a highly placed public officer is either dismissed or asked to step aside for medical examination. We join other well-meaning Nigerians in demanding of Umar: to step aside; and if he won’t do so, be suspended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and if found guilty be sacked and prosecuted for violating the rights of a citizen.
Recall that the same reprehensible misdemeanour was exhibited by a certain senator from Adamawa State.
Twice the senator assaulted two persons; a nursing mother in a sex toy shop, and a young man in his hometown in Adamawa State.
The penchant for assaulting or hitting the poor on the slight excuse is an emerging misnomer which must be checked. During elections, the senator will run to the people for votes. Umar would sit as a judge over issues bordering on ‘code of conduct’.
If, as Code of Conduct Tribunal chairman he cannot conduct himself in a civil manner by just obeying a simple parking instruction, what then is he doing on the bench? With what temperament does he give his judgements?
Umar and his co-travellers must be servants of the people, and not their ‘over-lords’. We frown at such arrogance of power. Nigeria belongs to all, including the weak, vulnerable and powerless. Umar should not get away with this.
