JUST IN: Senate Removes Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman Danladi Umar

The Nigerian Senate has officially removed Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), from office following a decisive vote. The removal required a two-thirds majority, which was achieved with 74 Senators voting in favor and 10 opposing.

The motion, sponsored by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, invoked Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Bamidele cited several allegations of corruption and misconduct against Umar as reasons for his removal. He highlighted numerous petitions received by the Senate, which led to investigative hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

Additional accusations included Umar’s extended absenteeism from office for over a month without permission or recusal, raising concerns about his commitment to the position. These issues, along with other unspecified factors, reportedly influenced President Bola Tinubu’s decision to nominate Abdullahi Usman Bello as Umar’s replacement.

Following the debate, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio called for a vote, which resulted in Umar’s removal. Akpabio subsequently instructed the Clerk of the Senate to communicate the resolution to the presidency as required by law.