The controversy surrounding the Nigerian Senate’s handling of the attempted removal of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman has escalated.
The controversy took a dramatic turn of events when a viral video captured a lawyer, Mainasara Umar Kogo, entering the Tribunal premises in Abuja on Monday, proclaiming himself the new CCT Chairman.
Kogo claimed to have been appointed by the Presidency, despite constitutional procedures governing such appointments.
In the footage obtained by PRNigeria, Kogo is seen addressing the Tribunal’s management and staff, raising questions about the legitimacy of his claims and the adherence to constitutional processes.
According to the 1999 Constitution, the appointment of a CCT Chairman requires presidential nomination, based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), and approval by the National Assembly.
This incident comes on the heels of the Senate’s failed attempt to remove the current CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, under Section 157(1) of the Constitution.
Fact-check revealed that this provision applies to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), not the CCT. The Senate further confused the roles of the CCB and CCT by linking Umar’s case to Abdullahi Usman Bello, recently appointed to head the CCB.
Additionally, claims of investigations into Umar’s alleged misconduct were based on a petition regarding a past incident, which had already been dismissed by an anti-corruption agency.
Kogo’s self-declaration as CCT Chairman has deepened concerns over constitutional violations. The 1999 Constitution specifies that the removal of a CCT Chairman requires a formal motion addressed to the National Assembly and supported by both legislative chambers. None of these steps were evident in Kogo’s actions, raising doubts about the Presidency’s purported endorsement.
Legal experts have strongly criticized the Senate’s procedural missteps and the self-appointment incident, describing them as a violation of constitutional norms.
Prominent voices, including Professor Mamman Lawan Yusufari, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, and Dr. Wahab Shittu, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), have denounced the actions as illegal.
They called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to advise President Bola Tinubu on the correct constitutional procedures.