The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has granted ₦100 million bail to former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, who is facing corruption charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Peter Kekemeke admitted Umar to bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like amount. The court ruled that the surety must own landed property backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
The judge further ordered that the former CCT chairman remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until he fulfils all the bail conditions. The case was subsequently adjourned to October 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Danladi Umar is standing trial on a four-count charge filed by the EFCC, which accuses him of using his former office to confer corrupt and unfair advantages on himself. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
During the bail hearing, Umar’s lawyer, Sunday Edward, urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms. He argued that his client had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC, complied with all its conditions, and consistently honoured invitations from investigators throughout the probe.
The prosecution, represented by Christopher Mshelia, opposed the application, arguing that Umar posed a flight risk and could influence prosecution witnesses, some of whom reportedly worked under him during his tenure as CCT chairman.
However, Justice Kekemeke ruled that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence that Umar would abscond or interfere with witnesses if released on bail, prompting the court to approve the application.
According to the EFCC, Umar allegedly directed contractors handling projects for the tribunal to make payments to members of his family. The anti-graft agency claims that in 2021, a subcontractor responsible for painting the tribunal’s headquarters paid ₦5.5 million to Umar’s wife. It also alleged that another company linked to a digitalisation contract awarded in 2024 paid an additional ₦6 million to her.
The commission further alleged that the same company paid ₦2,043,916.88 each as tuition fees for Umar’s son and daughter at Baze University, maintaining that the payments amounted to corruptly conferring an unfair advantage on himself, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Umar was first arraigned by the EFCC on July 9, where he denied all four counts and was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
