The Senate has invoked Section 157 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution to remove Yakubu Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, citing gross misconduct and actions deemed unfit for the high office.
In a decisive move on Wednesday, November 20, the Senate reached the two-thirds majority required for Umar’s removal. A total of 84 Senators, 74 by signatures and 10 present during the session, supported the motion.
The process began with a closed-door session, during which Senators deliberated on the matter listed as the first motion in the day’s order paper.
Upon resumption, Senate Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, moved for action under Section 157 (1) of the Constitution.
The motion for Umar’s removal was presented by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and 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.”
Speaking on the decision, the Senate described Umar’s conduct as incompatible with the responsibilities of his position, emphasizing the need for accountability in such a sensitive role.
According to Bamidele, ‘The Senate: Notes that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is one of the key components of Federal Institutions in the country, saddled with the sacred statutory responsibilities of maintaining high standard of morality in the conduct of government business and to ensure that the actions and behaviours of public officers conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability;
“Also notes 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 Danladi 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;
“Concerned 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 and thereafter avoided subsequent invitations;
“Also concerned about his alleged absenteeism from office for 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 a reputable Tribunal;
“Aware of the series of overwhelming allegations against the Chairman, Mr. President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, forwarded the name of Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello to the Senate for confirmation as the new Chairman of the Tribunal, and at the Plenary Sitting of the Senate on Thursday, 4th July, 2024, his appointment was duly confirmed, hence the need for the erstwhile Chairman to vacate the office for the substantive Chairman to officially resume office.”
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