The Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, activated Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to remove the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, from office.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti), during plenary.
The motion titled “Invocation of Provision of Section 157(1) of the Constitution for Removal of the Chairman of the CCT” was unanimously supported by the Senate.
Senator Bamidele, while presenting the motion, emphasized the sacred role of the CCT in maintaining high moral standards in government business and ensuring public officials adhere to principles of accountability and integrity.
He argued that the conduct of Danladi Umar fell short of these expectations.

Key allegations against the embattled Chairman according to the Senate leader included Corruption and Misconduct with Multiple petitions alleging corruption and misappropriation of funds.
Bamidele explained that there were Reports of Mr. Umar being absent from office for over a month without official permission.
He was also accused of refusal to Cooperate with Senate Investigations.
“Umar only appeared once before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions and avoided subsequent invitations.

He was also accused of engaging a physical altercation with a security guard in the Federal Capital Territory, an incident described as unbecoming of a public servant.
The Senate Leader noted that these actions, coupled with ongoing investigations by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS, constituted gross misconduct and negligence.

Senator Bamidele recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had forwarded the name of Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello to the Senate as the new CCT Chairman.
Bello’s appointment was confirmed on July 4, 2024.
The Senate’s resolution to remove Umar was aimed at allowing Bello to assume his role without further delay.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), disclosed that 84 senators endorsed the resolution to remove Umar, fulfilling the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority.
Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), confirmed that all necessary legal processes were adhered to.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, emphasized that Danladi Umar was given ample opportunities to defend himself but failed to do so. Akpabio also criticized Umar’s public altercation with a woman at a plaza, describing it as a disgraceful act for a public officer.

Akpabio directed the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Ben Akabueze, to communicate the Senate’s resolution to President Bola Tinubu for immediate action.

With the resolution, Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello is expected to officially assume duties as the new Chairman of the CCT.
The Senate’s decision underscores its commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring institutional accountability, and maintaining the integrity of federal institutions in Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) after he formally transmitted the two documents to the Senate to guide the preparation of the 2025 federal budget.
In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio President Tinubu highlighted that the FSP had been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during its meeting on November 10, 2024. He emphasized that the 2025 budget would be prepared based on the parameters and fiscal assumptions outlined in the MTF and FSP.

“It is imperative to seek the National Assembly’s expeditious legislative action on this submission. I trust that the Senate will consider the passage of this submission without delay,” the President stated in the letter.

The Senate President directed that the document be referred to the Committees on Finance, National Planning, and Economic Affairs for further review.
The committees are expected to report back to the Senate in due course to facilitate timely deliberations and approval.

During the session, Senators voiced their support for the motion to refer the document to the relevant committees, with the motion receiving unanimous approval.

The MTF and FSP serve as critical policy instruments for Nigeria’s fiscal planning, outlining revenue projections, expenditure priorities, and economic assumptions that guide budget formulation. Their timely approval is essential to ensure the smooth preparation and eventual implementation of the federal budget for the coming fiscal year.

The Senate is expected to deliberate on the committees’ findings and provide a final resolution on the framework and strategy paper in the coming weeks.

**Investigation Launched into N105.66 Billion Financial Mismanagement

The Nigerian Senate has warned Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately comply with financial regulations, following the release of the Auditor General’s report that revealed massive financial mismanagement. The Senate has made it clear that it will impose sanctions on any MDA head found ignoring or failing to address the findings in the report.
The warning came from Senator Garba Madoki, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, at a workshop on legislative oversight organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). Senator Madoki expressed concern over the frequent failure of MDA heads to appear before the Senate when summoned, stressing that the Senate would no longer tolerate such behavior. “We will take firm action against any agency head who disregards Senate directives,” he stated, emphasizing the need for prompt responses to the Auditor General’s report.
The Auditor General’s recent findings revealed that a total of N105.66 billion had been misappropriated across several MDAs, with N18.36 billion of this amount spent on contracts awarded without following the proper procedures outlined in the Public Procurement Act. This comes amid growing concerns over the mismanagement of public funds, especially in light of Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal challenges.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, reinforced the importance of legislative compliance in ensuring good governance. “Ensuring MDAs adhere to legislative resolutions is vital to achieving Nigeria’s development goals and maintaining public trust,” Akpabio said. He stressed that the Senate’s oversight role is critical to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
The Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, also highlighted the importance of compliance in strengthening public confidence in government institutions. “For the laws to have meaning and for public institutions to earn trust, there must be consistent and effective compliance with legislative directives,” Ogunlana remarked.
Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Director General of NILDS, pointed out some of the systemic challenges that undermine MDA compliance, including weak enforcement, bureaucratic inertia, and a lack of political support. He warned that these issues could lead to greater erosion of public trust in government institutions and hinder efforts to improve governance and transparency.
In light of the findings, the Senate’s Committee on Public Accounts has already initiated an investigation into the financial mismanagement reported by the Auditor General. Senator Madoki assured that the Senate would pursue sanctions where necessary, reiterating the Senate’s commitment to holding public institutions accountable for their actions.
This latest development marks a significant step in the Senate’s ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight mechanisms, curb corruption, and ensure that public resources are managed efficiently. The move reflects the Senate’s resolve to uphold transparency, restore public trust, and promote sustainable development in Nigeria.