The Nigerian Senate has removed Yakubu Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) due to allegations of misconduct, absenteeism, and corruption. The motion for his dismissal, supported by 74 Senators, enables Abdullahi Usman Bello to take office, restoring integrity to the tribunal.
The Nigerian Senate has officially removed Yakubu Danladi Umar from his position as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) due to allegations of gross misconduct. The decision was based on claims of absenteeism, corruption, and an alleged physical altercation with a security guard. A motion for his dismissal was supported by 74 Senators, with 84 participating in the debate, which was conducted behind closed doors. Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity within the Code of Conduct Tribunal, an institution tasked with ensuring moral standards among public officers.
Umar's actions, which included failing to attend office for over a month without authorization, coupled with accusations of financial mismanagement and resistance to cooperating with Senate committees, prompted an investigation by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS. Despite repeated summons, Umar appeared only once before the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. The Senate deemed his conduct unacceptable for someone in such a prestigious position, ultimately leading to his removal.
The motion for his dismissal paves the way for Abdullahi Usman Bello, who had been nominated and confirmed as CCT Chairman in July 2024, to officially take office. The Senate’s move underscores its commitment to upholding the integrity of public offices and ensuring that individuals entrusted with such roles meet the required ethical standards.
