NBA supports Senate’s removal of CCT chairman, Danladi Umar, over misconduct
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has backed the Senate over its Wednesday decision to dismiss Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over allegations of gross misconduct.
The decision, supported by over 84 senators, followed a closed-door session lasting over an hour and was made pursuant to Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Reacting to the development, the NBA and Adegboyega Awolomo (SAN), counsel to former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen, expressed their approval of the Senate’s decision.
NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) told PUNCH, “If the constitutional provision for his removal is being followed, then that is okay. It means that the initial announcement that the President removed him is not correct, that the President is now following the constitutionally stipulated procedure for his removal.”
Awomolo also spoke with the newspaper, saying: “I leave him (Umar) to God and his conscience. May the Lord forgive him.”
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Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who sponsored the motion for Umar’s removal, detailed the misconduct allegations, including absenteeism, corruption, misappropriation, and physical altercations.
Bamidele said, “The Code of Conduct Tribunal, as a statutory institution, is expected to uphold virtues of integrity, probity, and accountability.
“However, Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar’s conduct has fallen short of these requisite standards for a public officer entrusted with such responsibilities.”
The Senate earlier received numerous petitions against Umar, prompting the 9th Assembly to summon him before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. Umar appeared only once and ignored subsequent invitations.
Additional allegations included absenteeism from office for over a month without official permission; ongoing investigations by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS; and physical altercation with a security guard in Abuja.
These actions were deemed gross misconduct, warranting his removal to preserve the tribunal’s integrity.
This marks the first time since 1999 that the Senate has invoked Section 157(1) of the Constitution to remove the head of a statutory agency.
Umar was previously involved in the controversial 2019 trial and conviction of Onnoghen over alleged false asset declarations. His actions led to Onnoghen’s removal and freezing of his accounts. However, the Court of Appeal recently overturned the conviction, reinstating Onnoghen’s accounts as part of an out-of-court settlement with the Federal Government.
Umar’s removal paves the way for Abdullahi Usman Bello who was confirmed as the new CCT Chairman during a Senate plenary on July 4, 2024.