Court grants ex-CCT chairman N100m bail

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has granted former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, bail in the sum of N100 million over alleged corruption charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Peter Kekemeke, who delivered the ruling on Wednesday, ordered Umar to provide one surety in like sum. The surety must own landed property covered by a valid Certificate of Occupancy within the court’s jurisdiction.

The judge further directed that the former CCT chairman remain in the Kuje Correctional Centre until he fulfils the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until October 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Umar is facing a four-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and conferring corrupt and unfair advantage on himself while serving as chairman of the tribunal. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

During the hearing, defence counsel Sunday Edward urged the court to grant bail, arguing that Umar had complied with all conditions of the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC and honoured every invitation extended to him during the investigation.

The prosecution, however, opposed the application, contending that the defendant could abscond or interfere with witnesses, some of whom worked under him while he headed the tribunal.

Justice Kekemeke held that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence that Umar posed a flight risk or was likely to interfere with witnesses and consequently granted his bail application.

According to the EFCC, Umar allegedly directed contractors handling projects at the Code of Conduct Tribunal to make payments to members of his family.

The anti-graft agency alleged that in 2021, a subcontractor handling the painting of the tribunal’s headquarters paid N5.5 million to Umar’s wife, while another company involved in the tribunal’s digitalisation project allegedly paid her an additional N6 million in 2024.

The commission also accused the former CCT chairman of causing the same company to pay N2.04 million each as tuition fees for his son and daughter at Baze University, describing the payments as corrupt benefits contrary to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.