President Bola Tinubu is facing significant criticism after appointing Dr. Mainasara Umar-Kogo as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), bypassing the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), which are constitutionally mandated to play key roles in judicial appointments.
According to Politics Nigeria, the appointment, officially communicated on January 20, 2025, through a letter signed by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has raised questions due to the controversial decision to backdate the effective date to November 27, 2024.
The move has sparked accusations of unconstitutional conduct, particularly since the tenure of the previous CCT Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, had not yet ended. Critics highlight that this decision contradicts the constitutional process outlined in Paragraph 15 of the Fifth Schedule, which entrusts the FJSC with the nomination of candidates, and the NJC with the evaluation and recommendation of these candidates to the President.
Legal experts, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria such as Professor Mamman Lawan Yusufari, Dr. Wahab Shittu, and Professor Yemi Akinseye George, have raised concerns about the impact of bypassing these bodies, warning that it threatens the independence of the judiciary and sets a troubling precedent.
The timing of the appointment coincides with ongoing legal proceedings regarding the National Assembly’s attempts to remove Justice Umar, who has presided over notable cases, including President Tinubu’s 2012 trial related to false asset declarations.
Opponents of the move are urging the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to intervene and correct what they see as a significant irregularity, fearing that it could pave the way for unchecked executive power.
Leave a Reply