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The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution supported by a two-thirds majority of its members urging President Bola Tinubu to sack the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danlandi Umar over alleged misconduct and negligence.
The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and adoption of a 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.”
The Senate after an hour executive session, resolved to “invoke and activate the constitutional provision as enshrined in section 157 (1) by forwarding an address, supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate to be acted upon by Mr. President for the official removal of Mr.Yakubu Danladi Umar, as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, for the official resumption of Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new substantive Chairman of the Tribunal.”
The motion was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central).
The Senate said that the action became necessary because Umar has allegedly “fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer to conduct the affairs of such Tribunal.”
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Senate also claimed that there are allegations of corruption and misappropriation levelled against the CCT chairman now being investigated by security agencies.
Senator Bamidele in his lead debate said 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 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;
“Recalls that 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 ‘…..supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct”; and
“Affirms that the invocation of the afore-mentioned constitutional provision in this circumstance seems to be the only way out to safeguard the sacred image of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, in line with the resolve of the 10th Senate to uphold the rule of law and sustain the ideals of corporate governance structure in Nigeria.”
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno explained that the resolution was approved by 72 Senators who signed the register at plenary and 10 others who were busy at committee meetings.
The Senate is composed of 109 Senators and it requires 72 votes to gain a two-thirds majority.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
