The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday granted former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, bail in the sum of N100 million over alleged corruption-related offences.
Justice Peter Kekemeke, who heard the matter, ordered Umar to produce one surety in like sum. The surety, according to the court, must own landed property covered by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
The judge also directed that the former tribunal chairman remain in the custody of the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
The matter was adjourned until October 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Umar is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering on allegations that he abused his office by securing financial benefits for himself through contractors engaged by the tribunal during his tenure.
The former CCT chairman pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the hearing of the bail application, defence counsel Sunday Edward argued that Umar deserved to be released on bail, noting that he had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and complied fully with its terms.
Edward further told the court that his client had cooperated with investigators and never failed to honour invitations from the anti-graft agency throughout the investigation.
The prosecution, represented by Christopher Mshelia, urged the court to reject the application, contending that Umar could abscond or influence key witnesses if released.
Mshelia argued that some of the witnesses expected to testify in the case were former subordinates of the defendant and could be vulnerable to interference.
In his ruling, however, Justice Kekemeke held that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to justify denying the defendant bail. He consequently granted the application.
The charges against Umar arose from allegations that he directed contractors handling projects for the Code of Conduct Tribunal to make payments to members of his family.
According to the EFCC, a subcontractor involved in painting the tribunal’s headquarters allegedly paid N5.5 million to Umar’s wife in 2021. The commission also alleged that another company associated with a contractor awarded a digitalisation contract transferred N6 million to her in 2024.
The anti-corruption agency further claimed that the same company paid N2,043,916.88 each in tuition fees for Umar’s son and daughter at Baze University.
The EFCC maintains that the payments amounted to the conferment of corrupt and unfair advantage on the former CCT chairman, contrary to the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Umar was arraigned by the commission on July 9 and subsequently remanded pending the determination of his bail request.
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