House of Reps removes Umar as CCT chairman, cites constitutional violations

The House of Representatives has officially removed Danladi Umar from his position as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The decision was reached during Tuesday’s plenary session, where lawmakers cited constitutional provisions and statutory guidelines to justify the action.

The House invoked Paragraph 17(3), Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), along with Section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (Cap C15 LFN 2004).

These provisions empower the legislature to act on matters involving allegations of misconduct or ethical breaches within the tribunal.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, presiding over the plenary, emphasized that the removal followed due process, underscoring the legislature’s commitment to accountability in public offices.

Umar has faced growing scrutiny over alleged professional misconduct and abuse of power.

Prominent among these controversies was a viral video from 2021 showing Umar in an altercation with a security guard at a shopping mall in Abuja, sparking accusations of assault and judicial impropriety.

Despite calls for his resignation from civil society groups and legal practitioners, Umar remained in office until the House’s intervention.

Legal and governance experts have lauded the decision as a step toward restoring integrity to Nigeria’s judicial and anti-corruption systems.

Analysts believe Umar’s removal signals the National Assembly’s increasing resolve to address allegations of misconduct in key public institutions.

It also underscores the growing public demand for accountability from officials entrusted with overseeing corruption-related cases.

Dr. Samson Orji, a political analyst, noted, “This decision could boost public confidence in the fight against corruption if followed by thorough reforms within the tribunal.”

The House is expected to communicate its decision to President Bola Tinubu, who will oversee the process of appointing a new chairman. Meanwhile, civil society organizations have called for stringent vetting procedures to ensure that Umar’s successor upholds the tribunal’s mission of enforcing accountability in public service.