The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is overwhelmed by an unfortunate crisis that has penetrated deep into the establishment and placed it in a lingering situation and deterioration.
This is as a result of the refusal of the former Chairman of the CCT, Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar, to accept fate and allow the newly appointed Chairman, Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo, to take over office thereby leaving the staffing in disarray.
On the 13th of July 2024, President Bola Tinubu, through his Special Adviser On Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale announced the appointment of Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo as the newly appointed Chairman of the CCT.
Part of the announcement described Dr. Kogo as a seasoned lawyer and analyst in the field of law, security, economy, politics and international diplomacy.
In addition to that, President Tinubu also anticipated professionalism, integrity and fidelity to the nation in the discharge of the functions of the office of the CCT.
This appointment is not only an exercise of the executive powers of the president, but also in consonance with Section 130 and Section 15(3) of the 5th schedule of the Nigerian Constitution.
The announcement of a new Chairman was celebrated by those in the CCT due to the situation they found themselves under a Chairmanship that is repressive.
It did not come with surprise because the newly appointed Chairman has served in the system as a Registrar for about 18 years.
However, the removed chairman, Yakubu Danladi Umar, refused to vacate the office for the newly appointed Chairman claiming that under Section 17(4) of the 5th schedule of the Nigerian Constitution, he can only vacate office if he resigns, or is removed by the National Assembly members, upon a motion for his removal on ground of misconduct.
His claim concerning a motion for his removal only reminded those who knew him of several cases he is involved in that include drug addiction and drunkenness in office, bribery collection as in the case involving Senator Bukola Saraki and Justice Ononghe.
He is also involved in the case of immoral acts not expected of a person of his position that include fighting with and Igbo lady in a sex toys’ shop at Banex Plaza in Abuja.
He is also involved in the criminal case of collecting N10 million bribery Instituted by Chief Mike Ozokhome SAN, and several others at EFCC and ICPC.
In fact it is clear that president Bola Tinubu is not aware of the ex-chairman’s resistance to leave office even after appointing a new Chairman. Definitely, the president is known to be a man of his worlds judging by his position on the issues of subsidy withdrawal and tax reform, to which he declared there is no going back.
More so, the former Chairman was the one who docked President Tinubu in the court, trying to convict him so as to stop him from contesting the 2023 presidential election.
In addition to all these, sources have shown that there are about 18,000 cases that have remained hanging in the CCT, without any intention to deal with them, a situation that has raised questions as to whether there are a lot of people out there that would not want the removed chairman to vacate office, fearful of the possiblity that the incoming chairman might be bought easily.
Definitely, it is high time for the ex-chairman to be ejected from the office by the powers that be and tame him to size.
The presidency had since requested the National Assembly to process the removal of the former Chairman as provided by Section 17(3) of the 5th schedule as he himself suggested. This has also taken place.
Even with this, the former Chairman is still challenging his removal. Some sources even claim that as the signatory to the accounts of the CCT, he is still accessing funds even after his removal.
Hence, the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) George Akume should with immediate effect suspend the former Chairman of CCT, Yakubu Danladi Umar, with immediate effect to douse the unfortunate situation.
Also, to cut him to size and make him understand what the law is made of, the Director General of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) as well as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately wade in to compel the former Chairman of CCT to resign within a given time or face the wrath of the law.
The presidency should be alerted of the display of arrogance and abuse of office perpetrated by the former Chairman so that the needed action could be taken with immediate effect.
The refusal by relevant authorities to give the new Chairman his appointment letter, about seven months after the announcement of his appointment is what has caused all the shenanegan.
It is now clear that Nigerians will be more delighted if the SGF will issue the new chairman his Letter of Appointment, will not only facilitate his swearing-in to office immediately, but will also rid the air of various suspicions that there are top notches involved that want to protect their personal whims and caprices.
Indeed, facilitating the appointment of Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo would lead to reassuring Nigerians the president Bola Tinubu is a man of action that is practically fighting corruption judging by the pedigree of the newly appointed Chairman.