The House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 26, adopted a resolution urging President Bola Tinubu to remove Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), for misconduct.
This decision aligns with a prior resolution by the Senate, invoking constitutional provisions to demand Umar’s dismissal for behavior deemed unbecoming of his office.
The motion, presented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), cited provisions in paragraph 17(3), Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution (as amended) and Section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004, which require the parliament to pass an address supported by a two-thirds majority of both chambers to effect the removal of the CCT Chairman.
Ihonvbere emphasized that the CCT is a vital federal institution tasked with upholding high standards of public morality and ensuring accountability in government conduct.
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He argued that Umar’s conduct had fallen short of the ethical and moral standards expected of a public officer leading such a tribunal.
“Such a statutory institution is expected to epitomize moral rectitude and virtues of integrity, probity, and accountability. However, the official conduct of Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar has fallen below the requisite standard,” Ihonvbere stated.
The misconduct referenced included Umar’s involvement in a public brawl with a security guard at Banex Plaza Shopping Complex, an incident that attracted widespread criticism and prompted an investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
While Umar initially appeared before the committee and admitted to his involvement in the altercation, he subsequently refused to attend further hearings, frustrating the investigation process.
Ihonvbere argued that the removal of Umar is essential to safeguarding the integrity and public trust in the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability among public officials.
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He reiterated that invoking the constitutional provisions is the only viable path to restore the tribunal’s image.
With both chambers of the National Assembly now aligned on the matter, the resolution will be forwarded to President Tinubu for implementation.
Under the law, the President is mandated to act on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to effect the removal of the CCT Chairman.