The Nigerian Senate has removed Yakubu Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), citing gross misconduct and actions unbecoming of his position. The decision was reached on Thursday after invoking Section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The motion for Umar’s removal was initiated by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and supported by 74 Senators who signed the resolution. With 10 additional Senators present during the vote, a total of 84 lawmakers endorsed the action.

According to the Senate, Umar’s behavior fell short of the ethical standards required for a public office of such significance. The CCT is tasked with ensuring public officers uphold the highest levels of morality and accountability in government operations.

“The conduct of Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar has fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer to manage the affairs of such a tribunal,” Bamidele stated during the plenary.

The Senate’s decision followed several allegations against Umar, including corruption, absenteeism, misappropriation of funds, and a public altercation with a security officer in Abuja. These issues had prompted the 9th Senate to invite him for investigative hearings, which he largely ignored after his initial appearance.

In addition, Umar is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).

To address the leadership vacuum, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier nominated Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the CCT. Bello’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate on July 4, 2024.

The Senate emphasized the need for a seamless transition, with Senate Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) underscoring the urgency of the matter to restore integrity and efficiency to the Tribunal.