Alleged corruption: Court grants ex-CCT chairman, Danladi Umar ₦100m bail

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted ₦100 million bail to Danladi Umar, former chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), in his ongoing corruption trial.

Justice Peter Kekemeke approved the bail application on Wednesday following a motion filed by Umar’s counsel, Sunday Edward.

The court ruled that the defendant must provide one surety in like sum, with verifiable proof of property ownership within Abuja.

Justice Kekemeke held that the prosecution failed to establish that Umar would interfere with the trial or intimidate witnesses if granted bail.

Pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions, Umar will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The case has been adjourned to October 29 for the commencement of trial.

Umar was arraigned last Thursday on a four-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency alleges that he abused his position while serving as chairman of the tribunal by conferring undue advantage on himself.

According to the EFCC, on January 25, 2024, Umar allegedly used his wife’s bank account to receive ₦6 million from a contractor involved in the digitisation of CCT records.

In one of the charges, the commission claimed that Umar facilitated the payment of ₦5.5 million to his wife, Zulaihatu Danladi Umar, through a Keystone Bank account. The payment was allegedly made by a subcontractor linked to a contract awarded by the tribunal for painting its headquarters.

The EFCC said the action contravenes Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Umar has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mainasara Umar Kogo as chairman of the CCT, replacing Umar.

Earlier, in November 2024, both chambers of the National Assembly had called on the president to remove Umar from office.