The Nigerian Senate has admitted to a constitutional error in its earlier resolution advising President Bola Tinubu to remove Umar Danladi as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over allegations of corruption and misconduct.
Despite the correction, the Senate maintained that the resolution to sack the CCT chairman remains valid.
The initial resolution, passed last Wednesday and presented by Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, invoked Section 157 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution as its legal foundation.
However, it was later discovered that this section does not apply to the removal of the CCT chairman but rather pertains to specific public officials.
Speaking during Tuesday’s plenary, Bamidele acknowledged the mistake and moved a motion to rescind the constitutional provision cited earlier. He clarified that the correct references are Section 17 (3) of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 22 (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act 2004.
Under Section 17 (3), the removal of certain public officers requires an address supported by a two-thirds majority vote from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Bamidele emphasized the need for concurrence from the House to give the resolution legal validity.
“The Senate erroneously based its resolution on Section 157 (1), which does not apply to the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The correct provisions are Section 17 (3) of the Constitution and Section 22 (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act 2004. We must correct this for the resolution to take legal effect,” Bamidele stated.
The Senate unanimously adopted Bamidele’s motion to amend the resolution, ensuring it aligns with the correct legal framework.
The corrected resolution, now supported by the House of Representatives, formally advises President Tinubu to remove Danladi from office.
The allegations against Danladi include corruption and misconduct, which have fueled calls for accountability and transparency in the CCT’s operations.