Former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre after appearing before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama over alleged abuse of office.
Justice Peter Kekemeke ordered Umar’s remand on Thursday following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering on allegedly conferring undue advantage on himself while serving as chairman of the tribunal.
The former CCT chairman pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.
During the proceedings, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Christopher Mshelia, asked the court to fix a date for trial and requested that the defendant be remanded in custody pending the commencement of proceedings.
Umar’s lawyer informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on behalf of his client and urged the judge to hear the application immediately.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, explaining that it had only just received the bail application and needed time to study and respond to it before any hearing could take place.
After considering both arguments, Justice Kekemeke adjourned the case until July 15 for the hearing of the bail application. The judge also ordered that Umar remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the court rules on his request for bail.
The case marks another high-profile anti-corruption prosecution by the EFCC involving a former senior public official.
