Senate, Tinubu sack CCT top govt officials, name replacement

The Senate has removed Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), citing allegations of gross misconduct.

This marks the first time since 1999 that the legislative body has invoked constitutional provisions to sack the head of a federal agency.

Umar’s removal followed a closed-door session where over 84 senators backed the decision.

The process was initiated under Section 157(1) of the Constitution, which empowers the Senate to act against key public officials for misconduct or inability to perform their duties.

The Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, led the motion for Umar’s dismissal, citing various allegations against him.

These included corruption, absenteeism from office, and involvement in a public altercation with a security guard in Abuja.

Investigative hearings on these issues had been conducted by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, but Umar appeared only once and failed to attend subsequent sessions.

Additionally, Umar’s alleged negligence and failure to uphold the ethical standards expected of his role were factors in his removal.

The Senate expressed concerns about the damage his actions posed to the integrity of the tribunal, a key institution responsible for promoting accountability in governance.

With Umar’s removal, Abdullahi Usman Bello, whose nomination was confirmed in July, assumes the role of CCT Chairman.

The decision is expected to restore confidence in the tribunal’s operations and its commitment.

In a related developenment, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the governing councils of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, citing procedural irregularities and misconduct.

At Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, was accused of appointing an unqualified vice-chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, without adherence to proper guidelines.

This action created a disagreement between the university’s Senate and the governing council, prompting the Federal Government to intervene.

The registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, was also removed alongside Odoh.

Similarly, at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the council, was relieved of his duties.

His unauthorized suspension of the Vice-Chancellor led to confrontations with the Federal Ministry of Education, which he reportedly dismissed with threatening remarks.

The government stressed the importance of councils focusing on their mandate to ensure smooth university operations while aligning with established regulations.

Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to fostering improvements in the nation’s education sector.