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Tinubu, AGF, Akpabio dragged to court over removal of CCT chair, Danladi Umar
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President Bola Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, have been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged unlawful removal of Justice Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The President and 10 others were sued by two civil society groups, Community Rescue Initiative and Toro Concerned Citizens Relief Foundation, as well as an Abuja based lawyer, Comrade Nasir Bala.
The three plaintiffs are praying the court to restrain the Clerk of the National Assembly from transmitting to Tinubu, the concurrent resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives which removed Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
They are also praying the court to stop the President from giving effect to the resolution of the two chambers of the National Assembly, on the grounds that clear provisions of the law, especially the 1999 Constitution, were not followed in the purported removal of the CCT boss.
Among others, the plaintiffs are seeking seven declarative reliefs against the President and the other defendants.
The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1796/2024, was instituted on behalf of the plaintiffs by Mahmoud M. Maidoki Esq., A.G Salisu Esq., Jibrin S. Jibrin Baq., and Abubakar S. Idris Bag.
In faulting the action of the National Assembly, the plaintiffs asked the Federal High Court to determine the following:
“Whether by virtue of the provisions of Sections 1(1) and (3) , 6(5), 153 (1) (e) & (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as Paragraph 13 (a) (vii) and (b) of the Third Schedule thereof, the purported removal of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal by the 4th Defendant is illegal, void, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever same having been made pursuant to the provisions of section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution or any other law for that matter.
“Whether by virtue of the provisions of Sections 1(1) and (3) , 6(5), 153 (1) (e) & (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as Paragraph 13 (a) (vii) and (b) of the Third Schedule thereof, the purported concurrence by the 6” Defendant with the decision/resolution of the 4 Defendant purportedly removing the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal taken at 4th Defendant’s plenary of the 20th November 2024 or any other date for that matter which said concurrence was taken at the 6th Defendant’s Plenary of 26th November 2024 is illegal, void, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever same having been founded on a faulty legal foundation and in breach/violation of section 22 (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau & Tribunal Act and paragraph 17 (3) of the 5th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Whether by virtue of the provisions of Paragraph 17 (1) of the 5th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Section 20 (1) and (4) of the Code of Conduct Bureau & Tribunal Act and the subsistence of the occupation of the office of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal by Hon. Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar, the purported appointment and subsequent confirmation of the 10th or 11th Defendants into the same office by the 1st and 4th Defendants, respectively, is illegal, void, unconstitutional and of no effect same having been done in clear breach of the applicable provisions of the 1999 Constitution (Supra) and the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act (Supra).
“Whether the purported removal of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in the person of Hon. Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar as done by the 4th Defendant based on the motion and submission founded by distinguished Senator Opeyemi Bamidele during its plenary of 20th November 2024 and the subsequent concurrence by the 6th Defendant on 26th November, 2024 at its plenary has occasioned/amounted to a breach of Section 36(1) and Section 6 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as the allegations of misconduct among others which formed the basis of the resolution/decision in issue has not been proved/established in the manner prescribed by law.”
The plaintiffs noted that if the above questions are answered in the affirmative, the court should declare
that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 1(1) and (3), 6(6), 153 (1) (e) & (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as Paragraph 13 (a) (vii) and (b) of the Third Schedule thereof, the purported removal of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal by the 4th Defendant is illegal, void, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever, same having been made pursuant to the provisions of section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution or any other law for that matter.
Other declarations and orders sought by the plaintiffs are:
“A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 1(1) and (3), 6(6), 153 (1) (e) & (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as Paragraph 13 (a) (vii) and (b) of the Third – Schedule thereof, the purported concurrence by the 6th Defendant with the decision/resolution of the 4th Defendant purportedly removing the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal taken at 4tj Defendant’s plenary of the 20th November 2024 or any other date for that matter which said concurrence was taken at the 6th Defendant’s Plenary of 26th November 2024 is illegal, void, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever same having been founded on a faulty legal foundation and in breach/violation of section 22 (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau & Tribunal Act and paragraph 17 (3) of the 5® Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Paragraph 17 (1) of the 5th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Section 20 (1) and (4) of the Code of Conduct Bureau & Tribunal Act and the subsistence of the occupation of the office of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal by Hon. Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar, the purported appointment and subsequent confirmation of the 10th or 11th Defendants into the same office by the 1st and 4th Defendants, respectively, is illegal, void, unconstitutional and of no effect same having been done in clear breach of the applicable provisions of the 1999 Constitution (Supra) and the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act (Supra).
“A DECLARATION that the purported removal of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in the person of Hon. Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar as done by the 4’th Defendant based on the motion and submission founded by distinguished Senator Opeyemi Bamidele during its plenary of 20th November 2024 and the subsequent concurrence by the 6th Defendant on 26th November, 2024 at its plenary has occasioned/amounted to a breach of Section 36(1) and Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as the allegations of misconduct among others which formed the basis of the resolution/decision in issue has not been proved/established in the manner prescribed by law.
“AN ORDER restraining the 7th Defendant from communicating the resolution’ of the 4th and 6th Defendants removing the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in person of Hon. Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar to the 1st Defendant the removal having been done without following the due process of law.
“AN ORDER restraining the 8th and 9th Defendants from considering any person including the 10th or 11th Defendant for appointment by the 1st Defendant and subsequent confirmation by the 4th and 6th Defendants during, the subsistence of term of office of Hon. Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar.”
Meanwhile Justice James Omotosho, who is to adjudicate in the matter, has ordered that the process in respect be served by substituted means through pasting at the notice board of the court, the APC secretariat and Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The court further adjourned the suit to January 14, 2025, for hearing.
The United States has warned that it is prepared to restart military strikes against Iran if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a lasting agreement, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth said Washington possessed the capability and military resources to resume operations if diplomacy breaks down.
“Our ability to recommence if necessary, we are more than capable,” Hegseth said, adding that U.S. weapons stockpiles were sufficient to sustain military action if required.
The Pentagon chief stressed that the U.S. remained committed to security in the Indo-Pacific region despite its involvement in the conflict with Iran, insisting that Washington could simultaneously manage challenges in multiple regions.
“We can do two things at one time. We’re super-charging our defence industrial base so that we’re building two, three and four times the munitions needed to ensure our operational plans are properly funded around the world,” he said.
Hegseth also praised U.S. President Donald Trump for pursuing a diplomatic solution, describing him as “patient” and focused on securing an agreement that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
His comments came as U.S. and Iranian negotiators continued efforts to bridge major differences that have stalled talks aimed at ending months of conflict. Trump said on Friday that he would meet with senior advisers in a secure room at the White House to make a “final determination” on a proposal that could extend an early-April truce by another 60 days and provide additional time for negotiations.
The war, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, has reportedly claimed thousands of lives, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, while also contributing to higher global energy prices.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced an unprecedented 31-day marathon project commissionings across the nation’s capital to celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
Speaking at a political luncheon in Port Harcourt, the Minister showcased the administrative landmark achievements under his watch, attributing the massive infrastructural development to the strategic backing and vision of the President.
According to Wike, the month-long commissioning circuit will feature major road networks, public utilities, and massive urban renewal projects designed to completely reshape the nation’s capital.
Brushing aside critics, the Minister issued a direct challenge regarding the scale and quality of his administration’s output in the FCT.
”This third year of Mr. President alone…, we are taking 31 days for commissioning of projects in Abuja. I’m not talking about boreholes. I challenge anybody to contradict this” Wike stated.
He emphasized that the rapid development unfolding in Abuja is a direct testament to purposeful leadership, throwing down a challenge to opposition figures to match the scale of the ongoing works.
While highlighting his milestones in the FCT, the former Rivers State Governor pivoted to a surprisingly reconciliatory tone regarding the intense political friction in his home state, offering a blanket pardon to all political opponents.
”I use this opportunity today, to announce that I have forgiven everybody,” Wike declared, stressing that prolonged political warfare serves no constructive purpose.
”I want you to come back home sincerely… We have played politics, we have abused ourselves, this is the right time for you to come back,” he added, urging estranged allies and adversaries alike to swallow their pride and return to a unified fold.
Despite the sweeping offer of peace, the Minister did not mince words regarding the resilience of his political structure back home, which he described as an invincible “rainbow coalition.”
Wike issued strong warnings and assertions regarding the political landscape.
He explicitly warned external forces against attempting to destabilize Rivers State, stating, “Anybody from another state who is trying to destroy Rivers State, the person will have problems… You put your hand, you get fire.”
He asserted that his political machinery has effectively locked down future electoral cycles.
“If you are talking about the governorship election in this state, forget it, it’s gone… If you are thinking that any miracle will happen to overturn, to pull the rug off us, it’s a lie,” he stated.
Reassuring his supporters of their strategic dominance, he noted, “We are very over-alerted anytime, any day. We’ll take you back, we’ll work with everybody. We are not selfish.”
While other states grapple with internal party crises and bitter conflicts within both the PDP and APC, Wike maintained that his political coalition remained secured and fully prepared to maintain its dominance for the next eight years and beyond.
News
Watch: FCT minister Wike promises Tinubu’s third admin will showcase commissioning of projects in 31 days
The Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike has promised that President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary would showcase commissioning of projects in Abuja for 31 days.
Speaking at the Rainbow Coalition Renewed Hope Luncheon, the ‘talk and do” minister vowed that for 31 days projects will be commissioned across the Territory to mark Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
He said: “We’re using 31 days to commission projects in the FCT to mark President Tinubu’s third-year anniversary in office.
He announced plans for next month, after using 9 days in year 1 and 19 days in year 2.
Video courtesy of TVC
WATCH:
US set to resume attacks on Iran if talks fail — Hegseth
We’re using 31 days to commission projects in FCT to mark Tinubu’s 3rd year anniversary – Wike
Watch: FCT minister Wike promises Tinubu’s third admin will showcase commissioning of projects in 31 days
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