Kehinde Fajobi
The Senate has invoked Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to remove Yakubu Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), citing allegations of gross misconduct and unacceptable behaviour.
The decision was reached after 84 senators supported the motion, with 74 signing a petition and 10 others present during deliberations.
The 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,” was presented by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central.
Explaining the rationale for the decision, Bamidele said, “The Code of Conduct Tribunal is a key federal institution tasked with maintaining high standards of morality and accountability in public service.
“However, the conduct of Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar has fallen short of the requisite standard for a public officer leading such a tribunal.”
He detailed allegations against Umar, including corruption, absenteeism from office for over a month without permission, and a physical altercation with a security officer in Abuja.
Umar is also under investigation by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS.
The Senate had received numerous petitions against Umar and invited him to appear before the Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions Committee multiple times.
Bamidele noted, “He appeared only once and thereafter avoided subsequent invitations.”
The Senate also acknowledged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had previously nominated Abdullahi Usman Bello to replace Umar as CCT Chairman. Bello’s appointment was confirmed on 4th July 2024.
The Senate commended the new chairman and reiterated the need for high ethical standards in public office, stating that Umar’s actions were “unbecoming of a leader of such a reputable tribunal.”