Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Removal Of Ex-CCT Chair Danladi Umar

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the removal of Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The suit was dismissed following a formal notice of withdrawal by the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs, Community Rescue Initiative, Toro Concerned Citizens of a Relief Foundation, and an Abuja-based lawyer, Comrade Nasir Bala had jointly instituted the suit against President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Senate President Godswill Akpabio and six others.

The Senate had in November 2024 asked President Tinubu to sack Danladi Umar as CCT chairman over allegations of corruption and misconduct.

The upper chamber adopted its resolution during the plenary after the Senate President put it to a vote, and a majority of the senators supported it.

The resolution was taken in accordance with the provisions of Section 157 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, stipulating that two thirds of the membership of the Senate can advise the president to remove the CCT chair.

The senate subsequently approved resolution.

In the suit by the plaintiffs, they sought to restrain the Clerk of the National Assembly from transmitting the resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives to the President, as well as halt any attempt by the Executive to act on the resolution purportedly removing Justice Umar from office.

But at the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, Counsel to the plaintiffs informed the court of their decision to discontinue with the matter.

A formal notice of withdrawal had already been filed and brought to the court’s attention.

Justice Omotosho consequently dismissed the case.