Legal Battle Begins Over CCT Chair’s Removal

Two civil society groups and a lawyer have filed a lawsuit challenging the removal of Justice Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).  The case, submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja, named President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other officials as defendants.   The plaintiffs claimed the National Assembly’s decision to remove Umar violated constitutional provisions.  They sought to block the implementation of the Senate and House of Representatives’ resolution and prevent the president from acting on it.  The legal team argued that the process lacked due process and contradicts the 1999 Constitution and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.   The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has directed that notices be served through alternative means and set January 14, 2025, for the hearing. 

FULL LIST:PenCom, NSITF, ICRC… Tinubu makes spree of appointments in one day

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new leaders for 10 federal agencies and a national project. On Saturday, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointments in a series of press statements. Some of the appointments are subject to senate confirmation. ADEYANJU TO HEAD NLTF Tinubu appointed Tosin Adeyanju as the new executive secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF). “Adeyanju is an accomplished administrator and good governance advocate,” the statement reads. “The President expects the new Chief Executive Officer to ensure transparency and efficiency in the operations of the agency to actualise the objective of the NLTF as a driver of good causes in Nigeria.” OLOWORARAN APPOINTED TO HEAD PenCom The president appointed Omolola Oloworaran as the new director-general (DG) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). Ngelale said Oloworaran’s appointment is subject to senate confirmation. “Ms Oloworaran is a finance and banking expert with many years of experience,” the statement said. “The President anticipates goal-oriented leadership to drive efficiency and superlative performance in the National Pension Commission as the prime regulator of the Nigerian pension industry.” AGARA APPOINTED NDE DG Ngelale said Tinubu also approved the appointment of Silas Agara as the new DG of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). Agara previously served as the deputy governor of Nasarawa state under Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and was also a former special adviser on sports. The presidential spokesperson said Tinubu anticipates an overhaul of the NDE under Agara for optimal performance in designing and implementing programmes to combat mass unemployment in the country. UMAR MOHAMMED IS NEW NIHSA DG Tinubu approved the appointment of Umar Mohammed as the DG of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). “Mr. Mohammed is an architect, and also, a construction technology and environment professional,” the statement said. “The President expects improved outcomes in the agency’s objective of operating and maintaining hydrological stations nationwide, as well as carrying out groundwater exploration and monitoring using various scientific techniques in order to provide hydrological and hydrogeological data needed for the planning, design, execution, and management of water resources and allied projects.” DAN AGUNDI TO LEAD NPC Also, the president approved the appointment of Baffa Dan Agundi as the new DG of the National Productivity Centre (NPC). Dan Agundi was a former majority leader of the Kano state house of assembly. He was also the principal registrar of the Kano high court of justice. Ngelale said the president anticipates the DG’s utmost dedication and patriotic zeal in driving the centre’s mandate of developing a national culture of excellence in operational efficiency. According to Ngelale, Tinubu also expects a performance-driven orientation toward measurable productivity in the citizenry for the overall enhancement of service delivery and quality of life across the nation. UMAR KOGO TO OVERSEE CCT Mainasara Umar Kogo was appointed as chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). “Kogo is a seasoned lawyer and analyst in the fields of law, security, economy, politics, and international diplomacy,” the statement said. “The President anticipates professionalism, integrity, and fidelity to the nation in the discharge of the functions of the Office of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).” EWALEFOH TO HEAD ICRC Ngelale also said Jobson Ewalefoh has been appointed as the new DG of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). “Ewalefoh is a professional with years of experience in government and development organizations, in addition to expertise in public-private partnerships, public policy reform, and development,” Ngelale said. The presidential spokesperson said the appointment is subject to