The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the removal of Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar as Chairma...
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the removal of Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The suit was dismissed after the plaintiffs formally withdrew their case.
The plaintiffs, including Community Rescue Initiative, Toro Concerned Citizens of a Relief Foundation, and Abuja-based lawyer Comrade Nasir Bala, had filed the case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and six others.
The Senate had in November called for the dismissal of Justice Umar over allegations of corruption and misconduct. The Senate resolution, supported by a majority vote, was passed in accordance with Section 157(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the Senate the power to advise the President to remove the CCT Chairman with a two-thirds majority.
In their suit, the plaintiffs sought an injunction to prevent the Clerk of the National Assembly from transmitting the Senate's resolution to the President and to stop any action by the Executive on the matter. However, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the plaintiffs’ counsel informed the court of their decision to withdraw the case. A formal notice of withdrawal was filed, and Justice James Omotosho dismissed the matter.
The plaintiffs had argued that the National Assembly’s recommendation for Umar’s removal was in violation of constitutional provisions, particularly Sections 157(1) and 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, as well as sections of the 1999 Constitution.
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