A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has granted former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, bail in the sum of ₦100 million over alleged abuse of office.
Justice Peter Kekemeke ruled that Umar must provide one surety in like sum, with the surety required to own landed property backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
The court further ordered that the former CCT chairman remain in the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fully met.
The case was adjourned until October 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Umar is facing a four-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accuses him of conferring corrupt and unfair advantage on himself while serving as Chairman of the tribunal.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
During the bail hearing, defence counsel, Sunday Edward, urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that Umar had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and had complied with all conditions. He also told the court that the former tribunal chairman honoured every invitation extended to him during the investigation.
The prosecution, however, opposed the application, contending that Umar posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses, some of whom reportedly worked under him during his tenure.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence that the defendant would abscond or tamper with witnesses if released on bail, and consequently granted the application.
The EFCC alleges that Umar abused his office by directing contractors handling projects for the Code of Conduct Tribunal to make payments to members of his family.
According to the anti-graft agency, a subcontractor involved in painting the tribunal’s headquarters allegedly paid ₦5.5 million to Umar’s wife in 2021, while another company linked to a digitalisation contract reportedly paid her an additional ₦6 million in 2024.
The commission also alleged that the same company paid ₦2,043,916.88 each as tuition fees for Umar’s son and daughter at Baze University, maintaining that the payments amounted to corrupt enrichment in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The former CCT chairman has denied all allegations and is expected to stand trial when proceedings commence in October.0
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