The House of Representatives has followed the Senate’s lead in agreeing to remove Umar Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). This decision came after a motion was moved by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere on Tuesday.
The motion invoked Section 17(3) of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, citing the CCT chairman’s involvement in a public altercation with a security guard at the Banex Plaza Shopping Complex in Abuja as one of the key reasons for his removal. The incident, which led to an invitation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, saw Umar admitting to the brawl but refusing to appear for further hearings, frustrating the committee’s investigation.
Ihonvbere argued that Umar’s removal was necessary to preserve the integrity of the CCT and ensure the continued upholding of the rule of law and good governance in Nigeria.
Following the motion, a constitutional objection was raised by Mansur Soro, who argued that President Bola Tinubu should have formally requested Umar’s removal in writing. However, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, ruled Soro’s point out of order.
The motion was then put to a vote, and the majority of the House voted in favor of Umar’s dismissal.
This move follows a similar resolution passed in the Senate. However, the Senate’s earlier action was challenged by legal experts due to the incorrect reference to Section 157 of the Constitution instead of the correct Section 17(3) of the Fifth Schedule. The Senate later rectified the mistake and proceeded with the proper procedure for Umar’s removal.
