Senate Dismisses Yakubu Danladi Umar as Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal
The Nigerian Senate has officially removed Yakubu Danladi Umar from his position as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), citing serious misconduct as the primary reason for his ousting. This decision was reached following the invocation of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
The Senate described Umar’s actions as inappropriate for someone in his capacity, with concerns about his gross misconduct leading to the imperative need for his removal. The motion to dismiss him garnered support from two-thirds of the Senate, with 74 members endorsing it during a closed-door session held at 1:17 PM. The session lasted until 2:36 PM, when the Senate Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno from Borno North, proposed the motion in alignment with the constitutional provisions.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti Central, who is the Senate Leader, introduced 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.” In his address, Bamidele emphasized the importance of the Code of Conduct Tribunal as a crucial federal institution responsible for ensuring ethical governance and accountability among public officials.
He articulated that, as a statutory body of such significance, the tribunal should exemplify the highest standards of integrity and morality. However, according to him, Umar’s behavior has not met the expected standards of conduct for someone in such a prestigious role.
Bamidele further highlighted a series of petitions and accusations of misconduct against Umar that reached the Senate. These allegations prompted the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions to summon Umar for investigative hearings. Alarmingly, he appeared only once and subsequently evaded further invitations.
Additionally, the Senate raised concerns regarding Umar’s unexplained absence from office for over a month without any authorized leave and his alleged involvement in corrupt practices, misappropriation of funds, and a public altercation with a security officer in the Federal Capital Territory. These issues, coupled with ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), were considered serious breaches of conduct unfit for the leader of such a reputable tribunal.
Furthermore, the Senate acknowledged the confirmation of Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the Tribunal. His appointment was forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and confirmed during the Senate plenary on July 4, 2024. This confirmation underscored the urgency for Umar to vacate his office to facilitate the official transition to the new chairman.
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