THE Senate today (Wednesday, 20 November) sacked the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar.
It will be recalled that Umar, about five years ago removed the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in very controversial circumstances.
In sacking Umar, the Senate invoked the provisions of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which provides that the Senate can remove erring heads of agencies with a 2/3 majority of members present.
The Senate says it found Umar guilty of unacceptable acts of misconduct.
According to the Senate, it became imperative to remove Umar from that sensitive position because his actions were unbecoming of a holder of such an office and his level of gross misconduct was no longer acceptable.
The sack of Umar as Chairman of CCT was made possible when 74 members signed his sack while 10 refrained out of the total 84 Senators present.
Deliberations on the matter began in a closed-door session at 1:17 pm on Wednesday, lasting until 2:36 pm. The session concluded with a motion led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and seconded by Senate Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North).
It was 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.”
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 a 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 a 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.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media