There is confusion at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) as embattled chairman, Danladi Umar and the newly appointed chairman, Mainasara Kogo, are laying claim to its chairmanship.
Inquiries by Daily Trust indicate that both persons have officially visited and held discussions with staff of the tribunal without any clear directive on who is in charge.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on July 13 appointed Kogo as the new chairman of CCT the same day he announced Omolola Oloworaran as the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
Although the staff complained about the lull in the work of the tribunal since the controversy over Umar’s removal began, it was observed that corruption cases involving public servants are still being taken with several charges listed on the course list either for trial or arraignment.
We are confused – Staff
However, senior staff of the tribunal, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Daily Trust that they are confused about who to work with as both men have spoken with them and they are only civil servants who obey instructions.
“We are civil servants and we believe we can work with anyone that comes,” a staff said.
“We have not seen any letter to the effect of these changes. We believe there is a procedure for the removal and appointment of a new chairman of the CCT.
“We know that the president and the two arms of government have made pronouncements but we don’t know if invisible hands are working on these but we know there is a process,” he added.
One of the officials said the process is for the appointee to go through the screening by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), who recommends to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and then to the President, who approves and forwards to the Senate for confirmation.
The senior official said there has been a pile of unattended files arising from a lack of clarity on the chairmanship of the tribunal.
“He came today and left and the entire judiciary is now on holiday so we have taken the liberty to adjourn all the outstanding cases to January,” the witness said.
However, a former staff of the tribunal, who pleaded anonymity, criticised Umar for visiting the office after what he said his valid removal.
“Why is he still coming to work seeking to sign some documents and approve payments to contractors?”
He said Umar’s visits were illegal as he was no longer the chairman of the commission.