House of Reps Remove Umar as CCT Chairman Amidst Quorum Controversy

The Federal House of Representatives has removed Damladi Umar from office as the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) chairman.

His removal is due to engaging in a public brawl with a security guard at the Banex Plaza Shopping Complex in 2021 as well as allegations of corruption.

However, his removal was not without controversy due to issues relating to getting the quorum of a two-thirds majority needed to effect his removal.

Controversy Over Quorum

In removing Umar, the House of Representatives invoked paragraph 17 (3), part 1, fifth schedule of the 1999 constitution (as amended), and section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

This constitutional provision states that the chairman or a member of the tribunal can only be removed by the president upon a resolution supported by two-thirds majority of both chambers of the National Assembly for reasons including misconduct or infirmity.

However, fewer than 150 lawmakers of the 360 – member house were present when the motion for Umar’s removal was moved, a number short of the two-thirds majority equating 240 members.

Despite this, the House of Reps went ahead with the removal of Umar who has been in office since 2011. The motion was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.

Umar’s removal clears the path for Mainasra Kogo who was appointed by President Tinubu in July to resume office as the new chairman of the CCT to replace Umar.

 

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