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Misconduct: NBA backs Senate over sacking of CCT chair
The Senate on Wednesday removed Danladi Umar as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, citing gross misconduct in office.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association and Chief Adegboyega Awolomo (SAN), counsel for ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, which Umar sacked in 2019, said the Senate’s decision could not be faulted.
Speaking to The PUNCH, the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), said, “The Constitution says that the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal can be removed by the two-thirds of the Senate, so if the Senate has passed through this process and the President accepts it, then they will remove him. 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.
“Since the Senate has removed him, that means they have evidence which maybe they considered in their close session to recommend his removal. So, the moment the constitutionally stipulated procedure is being followed one may not be able to question it.”
Also commenting, counsel for Justice Onnoghen, Awomolo, said, “I leave him (Umar) to God and his conscience. May the Lord forgive him.”
The Senate’s decision sacking Umar was made pursuant to Section 157(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), which empowers the Senate to remove key public officials following due process.
The sacking followed a closed-door session lasting over one and a half hours.
Upon resumption of plenary, the Senate announced that more than 84 lawmakers supported the decision.
The motion leading to Umar’s removal was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who highlighted the pivotal role of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in maintaining high standards of morality and accountability in government.
Bamidele stated, “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.”
He added that a statutory institution of such magnitude was expected to epitomise moral rectitude and “should be seen to uphold the virtues of integrity, probity, and accountability.”
“However, the conduct of M Yakubu Panladi Umar, who is the chairman of the tribunal, has fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer to conduct the affairs of such tribunal.”
He added, “The Senate has been inundated with a series of petitions and allegations of corruption/misconduct against the chairman, a situation that necessitated the 9th Senate, through the Senate Committee on Ethics Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, to invite him to a series of its investigative hearings in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding those allegations.
“However, he appeared before the committee only once and thereafter avoided subsequent invitations.”
The Senate Leader added that the Senate was also concerned “about his (Umar’s) alleged absenteeism from office far more than one month, without permission and recuse to his position, coupled with preponderance of corruption allegation, misappropriation, and physical street brawl with a security man in the FCT vis-à-vis his current investigation by the EFCC, ICPC and the DSS.
“All these are tantamount to acts of negligence and gross misconduct, unbecoming of a chairman of such reputable tribunal.”
The Senate had previously summoned Umar to appear before its Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions during the 9th Assembly. While he appeared once, he failed to honour subsequent invitations.
The Senate Leader also referenced the recent confirmation of Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the the CCT.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had forwarded Bello’s nomination to the Senate, which was confirmed during the plenary on July 4, 2024.
Section 157(1) of the Constitution stipulates that “The President may remove the Chairman or any member of the Code of Conduct Bureau, acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate, for inability to discharge the functions of the office or for misconduct.”
The Senate resolved that invoking this provision was necessary to protect the Tribunal’s integrity and ensure its continued status as a symbol of corporate governance in Nigeria.
Bamidele said the decision underscored the commitment of the 10th Senate to uphold the rule of law and maintain public trust in critical government institutions.
Although enshrined in the Constitution, this is the first time since 1999 that the Senate will be invoking a section in the Constitution to remove any head of statutory agency from office.
Umar, as the CCT Chairman, spearheaded the controversial trial and conviction of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for alleged false assets declaration.
He ordered Onnoghen’s removal by President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the freezing of Onnoghen’s bank accounts.
However, the Court of Appeal, in a recent verdict, overturned the decision and ordered the return of Onnoghen’s frozen accounts, in addition to other reliefs contained in an out-of-court settlement between the ex-CJN and the Federal Government.
***Says False Allegations Targeted at Derailing Massive Progress
The Coalition for Truth and Justice in Nigeria (CTJN) has commended Barrister Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for his remarkable achievements in transforming the nation’s capital.
The CTJN said that false accusations against the Minister are aimed to derail the progress and frustrate his efforts.
The group, after an extensive appraisal of Wike’s achievements, said the Minister has proven critics wrong, demonstrating exceptional leadership and vision.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, convener Dr. Agabi Emmanuel said under Wike, infrastructure development has been prioritized, addressing population pressure, urban sprawl, and neglected areas.
Agabi noted that the FCT is being transformed into a useful and aesthetically pleasing capital, with proactive measures addressing housing, transportation, healthcare, and governance infrastructure.
He said Wike’s administration has addressed land grabbing, reclaiming illegally occupied lands for mass housing projects.
The group also said that judges now have befitting accommodations, and rural healthcare has seen significant investments while teacher welfare packages have been improved, and the FCT Civil Service Commission has been established to decentralize governance.
The Coalition recommends continued support from stakeholders, religious and traditional leaders promoting peaceful coexistence, and security agencies maintaining vigilance. Wike’s leadership represents a paradigm shift in governance and infrastructure development, creating a legacy worthy of duplication.
Given the right support, the group said Nigerians and FCT residents can expect improved living standards.
The Coalition commends Wike’s initiatives and encourages other states to replicate them. His achievements demonstrate commitment to equitable development, improved quality of life, and sustainable growth.
“Our findings revealed that the FCT administration under Barrister Neysom Wike indeed prioritized the provision of necessary infrastructures across the various area councils in the federal capital territory. In the past, the FCT has had problems because of population pressure, urban sprawl, and the disregard for important areas,” the statement said.
“Right now, FCT is being transformed into a useful and aesthetically pleasing capital thanks to the proactive measures made by Barrister Wike’s leadership to address these problems. In order to identify priority regions across the many area councils, the administration has used a rigorous approach.
“Undoubtedly, a functional road network is a critical factor to urban development, economic activities, and the general well-being of residents. Recognizing this, it was also observed that the FCT Administration under Barrister Nyesom Wike has undertaken a major renovation of the road network within the Federal Capital City Centre.
“This is evident in the news look of the city centre and other adjourning areas in the federal capital territory. The FCT administration has also commissioned new roads in areas that were neglected by successive administrations in the country. These efforts are not merely about repairing roads but transforming them to meet modern urban standards.
“The FCT administration, led by Barrister Wike, has made large investments in security, which is a fundamental component of any flourishing community. The FCT Administration under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike has also addressed the notorious issue of land grabbing in the FCT.
“The honourable minister went a step further by reclaiming these lands which obviously are not backed with any legal or verifiable documents, and reallocating them for mass housing developmental projects. This is indeed commendable and a step in the right direction in addressing the housing deficit in the FCT while ensuring that land resources are utilized for the public good.
“The FCT administration under Barrister Nyesom Wike recently initiated steps towards providing befitting accommodation for judges. This in our opinion is brilliant and a welcome development in line with standard practices in other climes. It is believed that the members of the law deserve dignified living conditions.
“Supporting the judiciary is a step toward strengthening governance and promoting sustainable development. The Coalition for Truth and Justice in Nigeria recommends this brilliant initiative to other states in the country in our quest for sustainable growth and development.
“It is indeed a statement of the fact that the FCT administration has made substantial investments in improving access to healthcare for rural dwellers within the FCT. This much was recognized by the Coalition for Truth and Justice in the construction of new healthcare centres and the equipping of existing healthcare centres across the FCT. The value of lives and properties have been at the top priority of the working Minister.
“The FCT Administration under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike has substantial improvements in the remuneration and welfare packages for school teachers in the FCT. This, in our opinion, is the manifestation of a premium placed on improving workers’ welfare in the FCT towards achieving a productive workforce to aid in the development of the FCT.
“The FCT Administration in an attempt to decentralize governance in the FCT, established the FCT Civil Service Commission with the appointment of nine permanent secretaries to oversee critical sectors of the FCT.
“The Coalition for Truth and Justice in Nigeria wishes to state in unequivocal terms that the FCT Administration under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike has indeed fared brilliantly in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
“Barrister Nyesom Wike’s leadership of the FCT administration represents a paradigm shift in governance and infrastructure development which is unmatchable by no one so far. He has created a legacy of transformation that’s worthy of duplicity by any leader that wishes to make a difference. We commend his initiatives and encourages other states to replicate it”.
Miss Universe runner-up, Chidimma Adetshina, has announced her decision to quit pageantry.
Speaking during a recent interview with Silverbird TV, Adetshina said pageantry has been a traumatic experience for her.
She said she’s quitting for personal reasons and relocating to Nigeria from her estranged country, South Africa.
“Finishing in the top 2 [at the Miss Universe competition] is still a shocker for me… Honestly, I am done. Pageantry was a real traumatic experience for me,” she said.
“People still don’t understand how I felt. There were times when I almost quit during the Miss Universe contest. I’m really done with pageantry. I want to focus on myself and establish who I am. And forward my education as well.”
After finishing as 1st runner-up at the Miss Universe competition, Adetshina was named Miss Universe Africa and Oceania.
She won Miss Nigeria after withdrawing from the Miss South Africa contest after she attracted scrutiny over her nationality.
Coalition hails Wike’s massive achievements as FCT minister (Photos)
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I am done – Chidimma Adetshina quits pageantry
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