By Nicholas Walter
Danladi Umar, the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, was dismissed by the Senate due to allegations of serious misconduct.
The dismissal came after more than an hour and a half of private discussion. The Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) Constitution’s Section 157(1), which gives the Senate the authority to dismiss important public officers without due process, was used to make this judgment.
The Senate declared that over 84 members backed the decision when plenary resumed.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele sponsored the motion that resulted in Umar’s dismissal, emphasizing the crucial role the CCT plays in upholding high moral and accountability standards in government.
“As a statutory institution, the Code of Conduct Tribunal is expected to uphold the virtues of integrity, probity, and accountability,” said Bamidele.
Nevertheless, Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar’s actions have not met the necessary requirements for a public official charged with such duties.
A statutory organization of this size, he continued, “should be seen to uphold the virtues of integrity, probity, and accountability” and be the model of moral rectitude.
Nevertheless, the actions of the Tribunal’s Chairman, Mr. Yakubu Panladi Umar, have not met the standards necessary for a public official to manage the Tribunal’s operations.
“The 9th Senate, through the Senate Committee on Ethics Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, invited the Chairman to a number of its investigative hearings in order to unravel the multitude of petitions and accusations of corruption and misconduct against him,” he continued.
But he only made one appearance before the Committee and thereafter declined more requests. As for his current investigation by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS, the Senate leader also stated that the Senate was concerned “about his alleged absenteeism from office far more than one month, without permission and recuse to his position, coupled with the preponderance of corruption allegation, misappropriation, and physical street brawl with a security man in the FCT.
” All of them amount to egregious misconduct and carelessness, which is unacceptable for the chairman of such a respectable tribunal. During the 9th Assembly, Umar was previously called before the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
Although he made one appearance, he did not accept any further invitations.
The Senate Leader further mentioned that Abdullahi Usman Bello was just confirmed as the new CCT Chairman.
Bello’s nomination was sent to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu, and it was approved during the July 4, 2024, plenary.
“The President may remove the Chairman or any member of the Code of Conduct Bureau, acting on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate, for misconduct or for inability to discharge the functions of the office,” according to Section 157(1) of the Constitution.
The Senate decided that in order to preserve the Tribunal’s credibility and guarantee that it continues to serve as a representation of corporate governance in Nigeria, this clause has to be invoked.
This ruling demonstrates the 10th Senate’s dedication to preserving the rule of law and preserving public confidence in important government agencies.
This is the first time since 1999 that the Senate will use a constitutional provision to remove an agency head from office, even though it is the Constitution.
