Senate Sacks CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar Over Alleged Misconduct

The Senate has dismissed Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over allegations of gross misconduct.

This decision was made in line with Section 157(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), which grants the Senate the authority to remove public officials following due process.

The resolution came after a closed-door session lasting over 90 minutes. When the session ended, it was announced that over 84 senators voted in favor of Umar’s removal.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who sponsored the motion, emphasized the importance of the CCT in upholding moral and ethical standards in governance.

He criticized Danladi Umar for failing to meet the expected standards of integrity and accountability required of his position.

“The Code of Conduct Tribunal, as a statutory institution, is expected to uphold virtues of integrity, probity, and accountability.

“However, the conduct of Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar has fallen short of these requisite standards for a public officer entrusted with such responsibilities,” Bamidele stated.

He highlighted numerous allegations of corruption, misconduct, and absenteeism against Umar, which had prompted multiple investigative hearings by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

Despite being summoned several times, Umar attended only one hearing and ignored subsequent invitations.

He added 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 Panladi 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.”

He added 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 an thereafter avoided subsequent invitations.”

Bamidele also cited Umar’s prolonged absence from office without permission and his involvement in a public altercation with a security guard in Abuja.

Additionally, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) are currently investigating him for corruption and misconduct.

The Senate leader also added that the Senate was also concerned “about his alleged absenteeism from office far 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 reputable Tribunal.”

The Senate further referenced the recent confirmation of Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the CCT.

Bello’s nomination by President Bola Tinubu was approved during a plenary session on July 4, 2024.

Section 157(1) of the Constitution allows the President to remove the CCT Chairman or any member of the Code of Conduct Bureau with the backing of a two-thirds Senate majority, citing misconduct or inability to perform official duties.

This is the first time since 1999 that the Senate has invoked this constitutional provision to remove the head of an agency.

The decision reflects the 10th Senate’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and restoring public confidence in critical institutions.

KanyiDaily recalls that Danladi Umar was caught on camera slapping and kicking a security guard who reportedly told him to park his car very well at the plaza.