Ex-CCT Chairman Umar granted N100m bail as corruption trial begins Oct 29

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has granted bail to former Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman Danladi Umar, who was remanded in prison custody for six days. The court set his bail at N100 million, requiring him to provide one surety who owns property in the FCT and has submitted an affidavit of means.

Umar faces a four-count corruption charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Prosecutors allege he abused his official position, conferring undue advantage on himself by collecting approximately N15.5 million in kickbacks from contractors. Specific allegations include receiving N5.5 million in 2021 and another N6 million in January 2024 through his wife's bank account from contractors involved in painting the CCT headquarters and digitizing tribunal records, respectively. He is also accused of directing a contractor to pay N2.43 million for his daughter's tuition at Baze University.

Despite the prosecution's opposition to bail, citing Umar's capacity to influence witnesses, Justice Peter Kekemeke dismissed the objection. The judge ruled that no evidence suggested Umar could interfere with the concluded investigation, as all documentary evidence had been presented. The court also found that the charges involved bailable offenses and saw no grounds for the defendant to commit further crimes or evade trial.

Umar had pleaded not guilty to the charges upon his arraignment. His legal team anchored the bail application on constitutional and statutory provisions, including Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 162 and 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. The trial is scheduled to commence on October 29.