President Bola Tinubu, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio have been sued in Abuja’s Federal High Court.
The lawsuit challenges the unlawful removal of Justice Danladi Umar from his position as CCT Chairman. Two civil society groups and an Abuja-based lawyer filed the suit seeking declaratory reliefs against the defendants. They argue that proper legal procedures were not followed in the removal process, violating constitutional provisions. The plaintiffs urge the court to prevent further action on the National Assembly’s resolution regarding Umar’s dismissal.
The plaintiffs also seek to restrain the Clerk of the National Assembly from transmitting the resolution to the President. They contend that the alleged removal breached several sections of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, making it unconstitutional. The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the resolution void, illegal, and of no effect. Their suit also targets the confirmation of new CCT Chairman appointments, arguing it violated constitutional laws. Justice James Omotosho will preside over the case, with a hearing set for January 14, 2025.
This legal challenge calls into question the constitutionality of Umar’s removal, which the plaintiffs claim was not legally justified.
