Mainasara Kogo
By Iyunade Grace
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in Mainasara Kogo as the new Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), urging him to uphold the law without fear or favor. Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Kekere-Ekun reminded Kogo that his ultimate loyalty must remain with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Constitution, and the cause of justice. She emphasized that the trust placed in Kogo is a trust on behalf of the nation and must never be compromised or traded for personal or political reasons.
Kekere-Ekun charged Kogo to approach every matter with fairness and firmness, guided solely by the dictates of the law and the constitution. She noted that cases before the tribunal often involve high stakes and sensitive issues touching on public trust, requiring sound judgment, unshakable independence, and moral courage. Kogo, in response, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the appointment and to the judiciary for the confidence reposed in him.
Kogo pledged to uphold the highest standards of justice with courage, fairness, and humility, while working to strengthen institutional integrity within the tribunal. He emphasized his determination to ensure that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to be done. The swearing-in ceremony marks a new phase for the tribunal, which plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability within public service.
Kogo’s appointment comes as a replacement for Danladi Umar, who had headed the tribunal since 2011 but faced controversy, including corruption allegations and a public altercation in 2021 involving a security guard in Abuja, which drew condemnation from the National Assembly. With Kogo’s swearing-in, the tribunal now has a full complement of three judges, enabling it to commence hearing cases that were previously pending due to the absence of a chairman .
