JUST IN: Reps Agree with Senate, Remove Danladi Umar as CCT Chairman

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, aligned with the Senate to remove Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), citing misconduct and breach of public trust.

The decision was based on Paragraph 17(3), Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004.

This development follows last week’s Senate resolution invoking similar constitutional provisions to remove Umar for the same offences.

Procedure for Removal
Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, the Leader of the House, moved the motion, highlighting that constitutional provisions require the President to act upon an address supported by a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the National Assembly to remove the CCT chairman for misconduct.

Reasons for the Sack
The lawmakers cited Umar’s involvement in a public altercation with a security guard at Banex Plaza Shopping Complex in Abuja, an incident that garnered widespread criticism.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions had summoned Umar to account for his actions. While he admitted involvement during his initial appearance, he failed to attend subsequent hearings, impeding the investigation process.

The House expressed dismay over Umar’s conduct, arguing that the head of a statutory institution like the CCT should embody the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Instead, they noted, Umar’s actions fell short of the ethical standards expected of a public officer.

“The official conduct of Umar has fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer to conduct the affairs of such a tribunal,” the lawmakers declared.

The decision marks a rare instance of unified action by both chambers of the National Assembly to uphold accountability at the highest levels of public office.