The Senate has invoked Section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to remove Yakubu Danladi Umar as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The decision was taken due to allegations of gross misconduct and actions deemed unbecoming of his position.
The Senate described Umar’s conduct as unacceptable for someone holding such a sensitive office, stating that his level of misconduct no longer aligns with the standards expected of a public officer.
Senators Unite to Approve Dismissal
The motion to remove Umar was supported by an overwhelming majority of senators, with 74 members signing the motion and 10 others present, totalling 84 senators in favour. The Senate went into a closed-door session at 1:17 p.m. to deliberate on the matter, which was listed as the first motion on the order paper.
Emerging from the session at 2:36 p.m., Senate Whip Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) moved for the invocation of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution to facilitate Umar’s removal.
The motion was formally presented by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) under the title: “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.”
Concerns Over Umar’s Misconduct
In presenting the motion, Senator Bamidele highlighted the critical role of the CCT as a federal institution tasked with ensuring high standards of morality and accountability in government operations.
Bamidele stated, “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 standards of morality in the conduct of government business and ensuring that the actions and behaviours of public officers conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability.”
He added that the institution should exemplify moral rectitude, integrity, and accountability, but Umar’s conduct fell short of these expectations.
Allegations Against Umar
The Senate outlined several allegations against Umar, including:
– Corruption and misconduct, with petitions reaching the Senate from various sources.
– Absenteeism from office for over a month without official permission.
– Involvement in a physical altercation with a security guard in the Federal Capital Territory.
– On-going investigations by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS.
The Senate also noted that Umar had avoided multiple invitations from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, attending only one hearing.
Tinubu Nominates Replacement
In light of these issues, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted the name of Abdullahi Usman Bello for confirmation as the new Chairman of the CCT. The Senate confirmed Bello’s appointment during plenary on 4 July 2024.
Bamidele explained, “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. His appointment was duly confirmed, hence the need for the erstwhile Chairman to vacate the office for the substantive Chairman to officially resume office.”
Senate’s Final Action
The Senate’s resolution signals a firm stance on maintaining accountability and addressing misconduct within federal institutions. With the removal of Umar, the Senate has paved the way for Abdullahi Usman Bello to assume leadership of the CCT, ensuring that the tribunal upholds its mandate of promoting public morality and accountability.
