Tinubu nominates three new board members for Code of Conduct Bureau

This announcement was made in a formal letter to the Senate President.

According to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the nominees are Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle from Oyo State, Kennedy Ikpeme from Cross River, and Justice Ibrahim Buba, a retired Federal High Court judge.

Founded in 1979, the Code of Conduct Bureau is essential for maintaining integrity in public service and ensuring adherence to the country’s ethical standards. The Bureau operates with a board of ten members.

On October 23, 2024, President Tinubu swore in Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello as the chairman of the board.

The current board members include Barr. Muritala Aliyu Kankia, Hon. E J Agbomayinma, Barr. Ben Umeano, Prof. Juwayriyya Badamasiuy, Bulus I Zephaniah, and Hon. Abdulsalam Taofiq Olawale.

This development follows recent efforts by both the Senate and the House of Representatives to remove Umar Danladi as chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal due to allegations of corruption and misconduct.

Last Wednesday, the Senate, led by Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, invoked Section 157 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution as the basis for this resolution.

Similarly, the House of Representatives invoked paragraph 17 (3), Part 1, of the fifth schedule of the Constitution for Danladi’s removal. However, yesterday, the Senate acknowledged that the section cited was not applicable to the CCT chairman.

During a plenary session, Senate Leader Bamidele admitted the oversight and urged the Senate to revise the earlier constitutional reference to adopt the correct legal provisions.

He clarified that the appropriate sections for supporting the resolution were Section 17 (3) of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 22 (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act of 2004.

Under Section 17 (3), both the Senate and the House of Representatives must pass a resolution with a two-thirds majority to advise the President on the removal of certain public officials. Bamidele emphasized the importance of cooperation from the House of Representatives for the resolution to be effective.

“The Senate mistakenly relied on Section 157 (1), which does not pertain to the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The correct references are Section 17 (3) of the Constitution and Section 22 (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act of 2004. We need to rectify this for the resolution to have legal standing,” Bamidele informed his colleagues.

The Senate unanimously agreed to Bamidele’s motion to amend the error and adjust the resolution accordingly.

This resolution, which has received the House of Representatives’ concurrence, formally advises President Tinubu to remove Danladi from office due to the allegations of corruption and misconduct against him.