B – Establishment of Certain State Executive Bodies

B – Establishment of Certain State Executive Bodies

197. (1) There shall be established for each State of the Federation the following bodies, namely –

(a) State Civil Service Commission;

(b) State Independent Electoral Commission; and

(c) State Judicial Service Commission.

(2) The composition and powers of each body established by subsection (1) of this section are as set out in Part II of the Third Schedule to this Constitution.

(3) In appointing Chairmen and members of boards and governing bodies of statutory corporations and companies in which the Government of the State has controlling shares or interests and councils of Universities, Colleges and other institutions of higher learning, the Governor shall conform with the provisions of section 14(4) of this Constitution.

198. Except in the case of ex-officio members or where other provisions are made in this Constitution, the Chairman and members of any of the bodies so established shall, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, be appointed by the Governor of the State and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by a resolution of the House of Assembly of the State.

199. (1) A person who is a member of any of the bodies established as aforesaid shall, subject to the provisions of this Part, remain a member thereof –

(a) in the case of an ex-officio member, whilst he holds the office by virtue of which he is a member of the body;

(b) in the case of a person who is a member by virtue of his having previously held an office, for the duration of his life; and

(c) in the case of a person who is a member otherwise than as an ex-officio member or otherwise than by virtue of his having previously held an office, for a period of five years from the date of his appointment.

(2) A member of any of the bodies shall cease to be a member if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the body, would cause him to be disqualified for appointment as such a member.

200. (1) No person shall be qualified for appointment as a member of any of the bodies aforesaid if-

(a) he is not qualified or if he is disqualified for election as a member of a House of Assembly provided that a member of any of the said bodies shall not be required to belong to a political party and, in the case of the State Independent Electoral Commission, he shall not be a member of a political party;

(b) he has within the preceding ten years, been removed as a member of any of the bodies or as the holder of any other office on the ground of misconduct.

(2) Any person employed in the public service of a State shall not be disqualified for appointment as Chairman or member of any of such bodies provided that where such a person has been duly appointed, he shall on his appointment be deemed to have resigned his former office as from the date of the appointment.

(3) No person shall be qualified for appointment to any of the bodies aforesaid, if, having previously been appointed as a member otherwise than as an ex officio member of that body, he has been re-appointed for a further term as a member of the same body.

201. (1) Any person holding any of the offices to which this section applies shall only be removed from that office by the Governor of that State acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly of the State praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.

(2) This section applies to the Offices of the Chairman and members of the State Civil Service Commission, the State Independent Electoral Commission and the State Judicial Service Commission.

202. In exercising its power to make appointments or to exercise disciplinary control over persons the State Civil Service Commission, the State Independent Electoral Commission and the State Judicial Service Commission shall not be subject to the direction and control of any other authority or person.

203. (1) The quorum for a meeting of any of the bodies established by section 197 of this Constitution shall not be less than one-third of the total number of members of that body at the date of the meeting.

(2) A member of such a body shall be entitled to one vote and a decision of the meeting may be taken and any act or thing may be done in the name of that body by a majority of the members present at a meeting.

(3) Whenever such bodies is assembled for a meeting, the Chairman or other person presiding shall, in all matters in which a decision is taken by vote (by whatever name such vote may be called) have a casting as well as a deliberative vote.

(4) Subject to its rules of procedure, any such body may act or take any decision notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership or the absence of any member.

204. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, any of the bodies may, with the approval of the Governor, by rules or otherwise regulate its own procedure or confer powers or impose duties on any officer or authority for the purpose of discharging its functions.

(2) In the exercise of any powers under subsection (1) of this section any such body shall not confer powers or impose duties on any officer or authority of the Federation except with the approval of the President.

205. In this Part of this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:-

(a) any reference to ex officio member shall be construed as a reference to a person who is a member by virtue of his holding or performing the functions of an office in the public service of a State;

(b) office means an office in the public service of a State;

(c) any reference to member of any of the bodies established by section 197 of this Constitution shall be construed as including a reference, to the Chairman of that body; and

(d) misconduct means breach of the Oath of Allegiance or oath of office of a member or a breach of the provisions of this Constitution or bribery or corruption or false declaration of assets and liabilities or conviction for treason or treasonable felony.