Court Grants Ex-CCT Chairman Danladi Umar N100m Bail in Corruption Trial

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the immediate past Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, in the sum of N100 million over allegations of abuse of office and corruption.

Justice Peter Kekemeke, who delivered the ruling on Wednesday, ordered that Umar provide one surety with a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for property located in Abuja as part of the bail conditions.

The court directed that the former CCT chairman remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until he meets the bail requirements.

In granting the application, Justice Kekemeke held that the prosecution failed to demonstrate that Umar would interfere with witnesses, noting that the witnesses listed by the prosecution were staff of the Code of Conduct Tribunal during his tenure as chairman.

The judge also ruled that there was no evidence to suggest the defendant was a flight risk, observing that Umar had remained available throughout the investigation conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Umar was arraigned by the EFCC on July 9, 2026, on a four-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and corruption. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.

According to the EFCC, the former CCT chairman allegedly used his office to confer corrupt advantages on himself by receiving payments amounting to about N15 million.

One of the counts alleges that N5.5 million was paid into the bank account of Umar’s wife by a contractor engaged to carry out painting works at the Code of Conduct Tribunal headquarters.

The trial judge subsequently adjourned the matter until October 29, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.

If found guilty, Umar faces a maximum prison sentence of five years under the relevant provisions of the law.