By Oluwakemi Kindness
A former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, has been granted N100 million bail by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Justice Peter Kekemeke admitted Umar to bail with one surety in the same amount and ordered that the surety must own landed property backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
The court directed that Umar should remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until he completes the bail conditions. The case has been adjourned until October 29, 2026, for trial.
Umar is facing a four-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations that he abused his office and conferred corrupt advantages on himself while serving as CCT chairman.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lawyer, Sunday Edward, urged the court to grant him bail, arguing that Umar had previously honoured invitations from the EFCC and did not breach the conditions of his earlier administrative bail.
The prosecution opposed the application, describing Umar as a flight risk and expressing concerns that he could interfere with witnesses, including former officials who worked under him.
However, Justice Kekemeke ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that Umar would abscond or obstruct the investigation if released on bail.
The EFCC alleged that Umar used his position to facilitate payments to members of his family by contractors handling projects for the tribunal.
The anti-graft agency claimed that contractors paid N5.5 million and N6 million to his wife, while also allegedly covering tuition fees of about N2 million each for his children at Baze University.
