The Senate has passed a resolution authorizing President Bola Tinubu to sack the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr Danlandy Umar, over alleged misconduct and negligence.
The resolution of the Senate to consider and adopt a resolution was titled: “Invoking the provision of section 157(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, to remove the President of the Code.” Conduct Tribunal.”
The Senate, after an hour-long executive session, resolved to “enact and activate the constitutional provision contained in section 157(1)”.
The Red Chamber resolved to forward an address supported by a two-thirds majority to the Senate which would be acted upon by Mr. President to officially remove Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The development, the upper chamber said, would pave the way for the official reinstatement of Mr Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new substantive Chairman of the tribunal.
The motion was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central).
The Senate said the action became necessary because Omar allegedly, “did not meet the expected standard of a public official to conduct such tribunal cases.”
The Senate also claimed that allegations of corruption and rigging were leveled against the CCT Chairman which are now being investigated by security agencies.
The Senate leader in his keynote debate said that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is one of the key components of the federal institutions in the country.
It is associated with the sacred statutory responsibilities of maintaining high standards of ethics in the conduct of government business and ensuring that the actions and behavior of public officials conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability.
He said that such a large statutory institution is expected to be an epitome of moral rectitude and should uphold the qualities of integrity, honesty and accountability.
“However, the conduct of the Tribunal Chairman, Yakubu Danladi Umar, falls short of the standard expected of a public official conducting the affairs of such a tribunal,” he said.
He expressed concern that the Senate has been flooded with numerous petitions and allegations of corruption/misconduct against the Chairman.
He said the situation required the 9th Senate to invite him into a series of investigative hearings through the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to uncover the circumstances surrounding those allegations.
“However, he only appeared before the committee once and thereafter avoided subsequent invitations,” Bamidele said.
“The Senate is also concerned about Omar's alleged absence from office for more than a month without permission and his defection from his post.
“This is coupled with his current investigation by the EFCC, ICPC and DSS as well as the vehemence of allegations of corruption, embezzlement and physical street brawl with a security man in the FCT.
“All these amount to negligence and gross misconduct, unbecoming of a Chairman of such a prestigious tribunal.”
“The Senate is aware of the series of weighty allegations against the Chairman, Mr. President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the GCFR has forwarded the name of Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello to the Senate for confirmation as the new Chairman of the Tribunal.
“Since Bello’s appointment was duly confirmed at the Senate Plenary on Thursday, July 4, 2024, the former Speaker is required to vacate the office in order for the original Speaker to officially resume office,” he said.
Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno said the motion was approved by 72 senators who signed the register at the plenary session and 10 others who were busy in committee meetings. The Senate is composed of 109 senators and requires 72 votes to achieve a two-thirds majority.
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