FCT High Court Grants Bail to Ex-CCT Chairman Danladi Umar in Corruption Trial

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has granted bail to former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, six days after he was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged corruption.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Peter Kekemeke admitted Umar to bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in the same amount. The court ruled that the surety must own property within the FCT and provide an affidavit of means.

As part of the bail conditions, Umar was ordered to surrender his international passport and must not travel outside Nigeria without the court’s approval. The trial has been scheduled to commence on October 29.

Umar was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on July 9 on a four-count charge bordering on corruption and abuse of office. He has pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.

According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that while serving as Chairman of the CCT, Umar allegedly used his position to obtain financial benefits from contractors awarded projects by the tribunal.

The anti-graft agency accused him of receiving kickbacks totaling about N15.5 million, allegedly paid through his wife’s bank accounts. Prosecutors claimed that in 2021, he received N5.5 million from a contractor handling the painting of the CCT headquarters in Abuja. They further alleged that in January 2024, another N6 million was paid into his wife’s account by a contractor responsible for digitising the tribunal’s records.

The EFCC also alleged that Umar instructed another contractor to pay N2.43 million directly toward his daughter’s tuition fees at Baze University, Abuja.

The alleged offences are said to violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Umar’s lawyer, Sunday Edward, urged the court to grant his client bail, relying on constitutional provisions guaranteeing the presumption of innocence and relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Although EFCC counsel Christopher Mshelia opposed the application, arguing that Umar could influence witnesses, Justice Kekemeke dismissed the objection. The judge held that investigations had already been concluded and all documentary evidence had been filed before the court, making claims of possible interference speculative.

The court also rejected the prosecution’s argument that Umar posed a flight risk or was likely to commit another offence, noting that the charges against him are bailable.

Umar’s tenure as CCT chairman was marked by controversy, particularly in 2019, when he issued an ex parte order that led to the suspension of then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. The decision paved the way for the appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad as Acting Chief Justice.

Following Onnoghen’s resignation later that year, Umar found him guilty of failing to properly declare his assets and ordered the forfeiture of funds in several of the former Chief Justice’s bank accounts.

In 2024, the Senate removed Umar from office over allegations of gross misconduct. President Bola Tinubu subsequently appointed Abdullahi Bello as the new Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The case will resume on October 29, when the court is expected to begin hearing evidence in the high-profile corruption trial.

… FCT High Court Grants Bail to Ex-CCT Chairman Danladi Umar in Corruption Trial … Naijaonpoint.