Many Nigerians have been calling for immediate removal from office and the prosecution of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Danladi Umar, following the viral video of him assaulting a security man at a popular shopping plaza in Abuja.
The security official identified as Clement Sargwak, a 22-year-old man has been receiving treatment for his injuries.
It was learnt that the embattled Tribunal Chairman has been making desperate moves towards a settlement as the campaign for his removal heightens
This was the moment the CCT Chairman, Umar, openly assaulted a security guard in Abuja with slaps and kicks.
His only crime was asking that he packs his car properly.
Despite the video evidence, Umar has since issued an open denial, claiming he was the one attacked.
His conduct has elicited public outrage, with members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, threatening to write a petition to the legal practitioners’ disciplinary committee for his investigation and disbarment.
Could this be the end of the career of Umar who has courted controversy after controversy since he was sworn in?
While the Chairman of the CCT enjoys the status of a judge, he is not under the disciplinary review of the National Judicial Council, NJC.
His removal from office for gross misconduct can therefore only be possible if he is disbarred or his removal goes through the National Assembly.
According to section 17 subsection 3 of the fifth schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, the Chairman and members of the CCT can only be removed from office by the President by the votes of two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly.
This means that at least 240 of the 360 members of the House of Representatives and 72 Senators have to vote for Umar to be removed as CCT Chairman, making it the only government appointment where the House is needed in the removal process.
Many Nigerians believe the case of assault against Umar is enough reason to kick him out of office.
