Senate’s Bold Move To Remove CCT Chairman Sparks Major Legal Showdown

Senate’s Bold Move To Remove CCT Chairman Sparks Major Legal Showdown

The Nigerian Senate’s decision to remove Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) after a closed-door session on Wednesday has ignited a significant legal controversy. While the Senate claims constitutional backing for the move, legal experts argue that the Senate lacks the authority to dismiss the CCT chairman.……READ MORE

Professor Akinseye George, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), emphasized that the removal power vested in the Senate under Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution does not extend to the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal. He pointed out that while the Constitution allows for the removal of certain public office holders, the CCT, as a judicial body, is not included in the list of offices subject to Senate removal powers.

George further clarified that for the Chairman of the CCT to be removed, the process must align with Section 17 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution. This provision mandates that such a removal requires the approval of a two-thirds majority from both the National Assembly’s Houses and must be based on incapacity or misconduct.

In light of this, George advised the Attorney General of the Federation to guide the President to follow the Constitution’s proper procedure. Should the process be challenged in court, George warned, it could be reversed, further underscoring the necessity of adhering to constitutional procedures in Nigeria’s democratic system.

This development raises questions about the Senate’s role in judicial matters and the potential for legal challenges to its actions.

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