The House of Representatives, like the Senate, has invoked the provisions of Paragraph 17(3), Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution to call for the removal of Umar Danladi, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, who moved the motion, cited Paragraph 17(3), Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution and Section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, which mandates the President to act on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to remove the chairman for misconduct. The House highlighted Danladi’s recent public altercation with a security guard at the Banex Plaza Shopping Complex in Abuja, an incident that led to his invitation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

While Danladi initially appeared before the committee and admitted to the altercation, he later refused to attend further hearings, thereby obstructing the committee’s investigation into the allegations against him. Lawmakers emphasized that the Code of Conduct Tribunal, as a statutory institution, should exemplify moral rectitude, integrity, probity, and accountability. They argued that Danladi’s conduct fails to meet the standards required of a public officer tasked with overseeing such a tribunal. Hon. Mansur Soro, citing constitutional provisions, noted that it is the President’s responsibility to initiate the process for the removal of the CCT Chairman.

However, he expressed concern that the House has yet to receive any communication from the President regarding this matter. In another development, President Bola Tinubu has requested the House of Representatives to confirm Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The request, read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Tuesday’s plenary, is in line with Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. Tinubu described Oluyede as “well-suited” for the role due to his professionalism and contributions to the military, urging the House to expedite the confirmation process.

Oluyede , appointed acting COAS on October 30 following the illness of former army chief Taoreed Lagbaja, was promoted to lieutenant-general after Lagbaja’s death on November 5. Before his appointment, Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps in Kaduna. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, he rose to major general in2020 and shared a military background with Lagbaja as coursemates in the 39th Regular Course. Tinubu had last week also asked the Senate to ratify Oluyede’s appointment.