More Drama At CCT As Lawyer Declares Himself Chairman

A dramatic twist unfolded when a lawyer, Mainasara Umar Kogo, arrived at the Tribunal’s premises in Abuja on Monday, declaring himself the new CCT Chairman.

The controversy over the Nigerian Senate’s handling of the attempted removal of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman has intensified, with recent events raising questions about constitutional adherence and procedural integrity.

A dramatic twist unfolded when a lawyer, Mainasara Umar Kogo, arrived at the Tribunal’s premises in Abuja on Monday, declaring himself the new CCT Chairman. In a viral video, Kogo claimed he had been appointed by the Presidency, despite constitutional guidelines for such appointments.

According to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, the appointment of a CCT Chairman requires the President’s nomination, based on the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) recommendation. The nomination must be approved by the Senate.

Kogo’s self-proclamation bypassed all these procedures, leaving Tribunal staff and management in confusion.

This development follows the Senate’s recent unsuccessful attempt to remove the current CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, under Section 157(1) of the Constitution. However, a closer look reveals that this provision applies to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), not the CCT. The Senate also mistakenly linked Umar’s case to Abdullahi Usman Bello, the newly appointed head of the CCB, further compounding the procedural errors.

Reports indicate that the alleged investigation into Umar’s conduct was based on an old petition tied to a past incident, which had already been dismissed by an anti-corruption agency. Despite this, Kogo’s sudden claim to the CCT leadership has amplified concerns about constitutional breaches.

The 1999 Constitution outlines specific steps for removing a CCT Chairman, including a formal motion submitted to the National Assembly and approved by both legislative chambers. None of these steps were followed in Kogo’s case, casting doubt on the legitimacy of his claims and the Presidency’s alleged involvement.

Legal experts have criticized both the Senate’s actions and Kogo’s self-declaration. Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), including Professor Mamman Lawan Yusufari, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, and Dr. Wahab Shittu, have described the events as unconstitutional and unlawful.

They urged the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to provide President Bola Tinubu with proper guidance on adhering to constitutional procedures. The experts emphasized the need to protect the rule of law and prevent further violations of Nigeria’s legal framework.

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