The Nigerian Senate has passed a resolution calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over allegations of misconduct and negligence.
The resolution, supported by a two-thirds majority, was reached during the Senate’s plenary session on Wednesday.
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Senate Cites Constitutional Provision for Removal
The motion, titled “Invocation of the Provision of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as Amended, for the Removal of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal,” was sponsored by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central).
After a closed-door session lasting an hour, the Senate resolved to forward an address to President Tinubu, requesting Umar’s removal to enable Abdullahi Usman Bello, whose appointment had already been confirmed, to assume office as the substantive Chairman of the Tribunal.
Allegations Against Danladi Umar
The Senate highlighted various allegations against Umar, including:
- Corruption and misappropriation, which are under investigation by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS.
- Absenteeism from office for over a month without permission.
- A public altercation with a security officer in Abuja.
- Refusal to honor Senate invitations during an investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
The Senate stated that these actions were tantamount to gross misconduct and negligence, unbecoming of a public officer entrusted with upholding high standards of morality and accountability.
Senate Leader Speaks on the Motion
In presenting the motion, Senator Bamidele emphasized the critical role of the CCT in maintaining public morality and accountability within government. He noted that the Chairman’s actions had compromised the integrity of the institution, necessitating his removal to restore public confidence.
“The conduct of Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar has fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer tasked with leading such a critical institution. His negligence and misconduct undermine the tribunal’s integrity and reputation,” Bamidele remarked.
Unanimous Support From Senators
Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno confirmed that the resolution had the support of 72 Senators, meeting the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution.
The Senate’s action follows the confirmation of Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the CCT during a plenary session on July 4, 2024.
Constitutional Backing for Action
The resolution is anchored on Section 157 (1) of the Constitution, which allows for the removal of the Chairman of the CCT on grounds of misconduct or inability to perform duties.
Next Steps
The Senate has formally forwarded its resolution to President Tinubu, urging him to act swiftly to safeguard the credibility of the tribunal and uphold the rule of law.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops
