By Prosper Meneย
In a reminder of judicial integrit amid Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption drive, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has urged the newly sworn-in Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Mainasara Kog, to resist any temptation to trade public trust for personal or political advantage.
The admonition came during a formal swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja on Tuesday, where Kekere-Ekun administered the oath of office to Kogo, marking his official assumption of leadership at the tribunal. The CCT, a key anti-corruption body established under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, is responsible for enforcing ethical standards among public officials, including probing asset declarations and conflicts of interest.”The trust placed in you is a trust on behalf of the nation, and it must never be compromised or traded for personal or political reasons,” Kekere-Ekun declared, emphasizing that Kogo’s ultimate loyalty must lie with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Constitution, and the cause of justice not to any individual, group, or authority.
She further advised the new chairman to “uphold the law without fear or favour,” deliver firm and fair judgments, and ensure his decisions inspire public confidence in the tribunal’s independence.
Kekere-Ekun highlighted the high-stakes nature of cases before the CCT, which often involve “sensitive issues touching upon the very soul of public trust.” Her words appear to underscore broader concerns about external influences in Nigeria’s judiciary, particularly as the country grapples with perceptions of political interference in anti-corruption institutions.
Kogo’s appointment, announced by President Bola Tinubu in July, replaces Danladi Umar, who had chaired the tribunal since 2011. Umar’s tenure was marred by controversy, including a 2019 statement where he declared accountability only to the presidency, drawing widespread criticism for undermining institutional autonomy.
With Kogo’s induction, the CCT now operates at full strength with three members, including Justices William A. and another, enabling it to resume full adjudication of pending cases that had been stalled due to the leadership vacuum.
Legal experts view the CJN’s charge as a timely call for renewal at the CCT, an institution crucial to enforcing the Code of Conduct Bureau’s mandates. “This swearing-in is more than ceremonial, it’s a mandate for ethical revival in public service accountability,” said Dr. Aisha Bello, a constitutional law lecturer at the University of Abuja, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The event, attended by senior judicial officers and representatives from the Code of Conduct Bureau, signals the federal government’s commitment to fortifying anti-corruption mechanisms ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kogo, a seasoned judge with prior service in the Federal Capital Territory High Court, pledged in his acceptance remarks to lead with “unwavering integrity and impartiality,” though he declined to elaborate on specific cases.As Nigeria continues its battle against graft ranked 145th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index.
