Is it obligatory to perform wudu' for one who removes his leather socks after wiping over them?

Question:
A questioner says: A man performed wudu' and wiped over his leather socks, then removed the socks, and no state of ritual impurity occurred; rather, he remained in his state of wudu'. Is it permissible for him to pray with the wiping, or is he required to perform wudu'?

Answer:
He is required to perform wudu'; because he removed the item over which the wiping was done, and the excuse for which the wiping was legislated has ceased, so he is required to perform wudu'. Yes.