BREAKING: Senate sacks Yakubu Umar as Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal

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) due to what it described as unacceptable acts of misconduct.

According to the Senate, Umar’s actions were unbecoming of a person holding such a sensitive position, and his level of gross misconduct had become intolerable.

Umar’s removal followed a motion supported by a two-thirds majority, with 74 Senators signing in favor and 10 present, bringing the total to 84 Senators. The matter was first discussed in a closed-door session at 1:17 pm, with the Senate emerging at 2:36 pm. Senate Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, moved that the action be carried out in accordance with Section 157 (1) of the Constitution.

The motion to remove Umar was introduced by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, under the title, “Invocation of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution for the Removal of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

Bamidele explained that the CCT plays a critical role in ensuring high standards of morality in government, holding public officers accountable for their conduct. However, he noted that Umar’s behavior fell far short of the standards expected from a public officer in such a significant role.

He further stated that the Senate had received numerous petitions and allegations of misconduct against Umar. Despite being invited by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for investigations, he attended only one session and avoided subsequent hearings.

Additionally, concerns were raised regarding Umar’s alleged absenteeism from office for over a month without authorization, alongside corruption allegations, misappropriation of funds, and a public altercation with a security guard. These incidents, along with ongoing investigations by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS, were seen as clear acts of negligence and gross misconduct, unworthy of someone in his position.

Bamidele also acknowledged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had forwarded the name of Abdullahi Usman Bello to the Senate for confirmation as the new CCT Chairman, which was duly done on July 4, 2024. With this confirmation, the Senate called for the removal of Umar to allow the newly confirmed Chairman to officially take office.