The Senate has removed Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged gross misconduct. This decision follows Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the Senate the power to remove key public officials after due process.
The motion for his removal was introduced by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who emphasized the importance of the CCT in maintaining high standards of morality and accountability in government. Bamidele stated that the Tribunal is meant to uphold integrity, probity, and accountability, but Umar’s conduct fell short of these standards.
The Senate Leader noted that Umar had been the subject of multiple allegations of corruption and misconduct, which led to several investigative hearings. However, Umar appeared only once before the Senate Committee and avoided subsequent invitations. Additionally, his prolonged absenteeism from office and his involvement in a physical altercation with a security guard, as well as investigations by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS, were cited as further evidence of negligence and misconduct.
The Senate’s decision to remove Umar, supported by over 84 lawmakers, was also influenced by the recent confirmation of Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new CCT Chairman. Bello’s nomination was forwarded by President Bola Tinubu and confirmed by the Senate on July 4, 2024.
Bamidele stated, “The Code of Conduct Tribunal, as a statutory institution, is expected to uphold virtues of integrity, probity, and accountability.”
“However, the conduct of Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar has fallen short of these requisite standards for a public officer entrusted with such responsibilities.”
He added that a statutory institution of such magnitude is expected to be an epitome of moral rectitude and “should be seen to uphold the virtues of integrity, probity and accountability.
“However, the conduct of Mr Yakubu Panladi Umar, who is the Chairman of the Tribunal, has fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer to conduct the affairs of such Tribunal.”
He added that “The Senate has been inundated with series of petitions and allegations of corruption/misconduct against the Chairman, a situation that necessitated the 9th Senate, through the Senate Committee on Ethics Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to invite him to series of its investigative hearings in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding those allegations.
“However, he appeared before the Committee only once an thereafter avoided subsequent invitations.”
The Senate leader also added that the Senate was also concerned “about his alleged absenteeism from office far more than one month, without permission and recuse to his position, coupled with preponderance of corruption allegation, misappropriation, and physical street brawl with a security man in the FCT vis-à-vis his current investigation by the EFCC, ICPC and the DSS All these are tantamount to acts of negligence and gross misconduct, unbecoming of a Chairman of such reputable Tribunal.”
The Senate had previously summoned Umar to appear before its Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions during the 9th Assembly. While he appeared once, he failed to honour subsequent invitations.
The Senate Leader also referenced the recent confirmation of Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the CCT.
President Bola Tinubu forwarded Bello’s nomination to the Senate, which was confirmed during the plenary on July 4, 2024.
Section 157(1) of the Constitution stipulates that “The President may remove the Chairman or any member of the Code of Conduct Bureau, acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate, for inability to discharge the functions of the office or for misconduct.”
The Senate resolved that invoking this provision was necessary to protect the integrity of the Tribunal and ensure it remains a symbol of corporate governance in Nigeria.
This decision underscores the commitment of the 10th Senate to uphold the rule of law and maintain public trust in critical government institutions.
Although enshrined in the Constitution, this is the first time since 1999 that the Senate will be invoking a section in the Constitution to remove any head of agency from office.
