The Nigerian Senate has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over allegations of corruption and misconduct.
This decision followed a motion presented during Wednesday’s plenary by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central). According to Bamidele, Umar’s actions have fallen short of the ethical standards expected of a public official.
“The Senate has received multiple petitions and allegations of corruption and misconduct against the chairman,” Bamidele said.
He further explained that despite being summoned multiple times by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions during the 9th Senate, Umar only attended once and ignored subsequent invitations.
Bamidele also raised concerns about Umar’s alleged absenteeism from office for over a month without authorization, alongside accusations of corruption, financial misappropriation, and involvement in a public altercation with a security guard in Abuja.
He noted that the chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“These actions constitute gross misconduct and negligence, unbecoming of the chairman of a reputable tribunal,” Bamidele added.
The motion was adopted through a voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate subsequently invoked Section 157(1) of the constitution. This allows the Senate to send a written address to the President, requiring two-thirds majority approval.
Although President Tinubu appointed Mainasra Kogo as the new CCT chairman in July 2024 to replace Umar, Kogo has yet to assume office.
According to Section 22 of the CCT Act, the President can only remove the tribunal chairman following a written address by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.