From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Following a series of alleged moral and financial misconducts, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday dismissed Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), and directed the resumption of Mr Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman.
The decision of the lawmakers was based on Section 157(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), which empowers the Senate to remove key public officials following due process.
Prior to their resolution, the lawmakers held a closed-door session that lasted from 1:20 p.m. to 2:27 p.m., during which they privately deliberated on the matter.
Upon resumption of plenary, the Senate disclosed that more than 84 lawmakers supported the decision.
Umar’s offences were detailed in a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who, in his lead debate, described the Tribunal as a critical Federal institution charged with maintaining high standards of morality in government business to ensure public officers act with accountability and integrity.
Bamidele argued that Umar’s conduct as Chairman fell short of the professional and ethical standards required for the role.
He explained that the Senate had received numerous petitions and allegations of corruption and misconduct against Umar, prompting the 9th Senate to invite him for investigative hearings through the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
Unfortunately, Bamidele noted, Umar attended only one hearing and subsequently avoided further invitations.
Umar’s alleged offences included absenteeism from office for over a month without permission, multiple allegations of corruption, misappropriation of funds, and involvement in a physical altercation with a security guard in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He is also reportedly under investigation by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS.
“All these amount to acts of negligence and gross misconduct, unbecoming of a Chairman of such a high-reputation Tribunal,” Bamidele stated.
To address the issue, Bamidele reminded his colleagues that on 4th July 2024, the Senate had received the nomination of Mr Abdullahi Usman Bello, forwarded by President Bola Tinubu, for confirmation as the new Chairman of the Tribunal.
Bello’s appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Senate, necessitating Umar’s removal to allow the new Chairman to officially assume office.
Bamidele emphasised: “By virtue of the provisions of Section 157(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, acting on an address by a two-thirds majority of the Senate, may remove a public officer for inability to discharge the functions of the office or for misconduct.”
He added: “Invoking this constitutional provision is essential to safeguard the image of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, in line with the 10th Senate’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and corporate governance ideals in Nigeria.”
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau supported the motion, stating that the matter had been thoroughly debated during the closed session, with 84 senators endorsing Umar’s removal.
Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno corroborated Barau’s statement: “Seventy-four senators actually signed the petition, including the 10 principal officers of the 10th Senate, bringing the total to 84.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently put the motion to a vote, and the senators approved Umar’s removal from office, as well as the official resumption of Mr Abdullahi Usman Bello as the substantive Chairman of the Tribunal.
The Clerk of the Senate was directed to forward the Senate’s resolution to the President for further action.