279. No person who is a member of any Civil Service or holds any Civil post in connection with the affairs of the Government of the Federation, the Unit or Sub-Unit shall be dismissed, removed or reduced in rank until he has been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the action proposed to be taken in regard to him: Provided that this Clause shall not apply:
(a) Where a person is dismissed, removed, reduced in rank on the ground of conduct which has led to his conviction on a criminal charge; or
(b) Where an authority empowered to dismiss a person or remove him or reduce him in rank is satisfied that for some reason to be recorded by that authority in writing it is not reasonably practicable to give that person an opportunity of showing cause.