Alleged abuse of office: Court grants ex CCT boss N100m bail

By Vivian Okejeme

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Wednesday, granted the former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, bail in the sum of N100million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Peter Kekemeke, in a brief ruling, ordered that the surety must possess a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
Umar is to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Umar on a four-count charge bordering on allegedly conferring undue advantage on himself while serving as Chairman of the CCT.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Earlier, counsel to the defendant urged the court to admit Umar to bail on liberal terms, arguing that he had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and had never absconded.
He told the court that Umar consistently honoured the Commission’s invitations throughout the investigation.
The prosecution, however, opposed the application, arguing that the defendant is a flight risk and could interfere with prosecution witnesses, some of whom worked under him during his tenure as CCT Chairman.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the prosecution failed to establish that the defendant was likely to jump bail or interfere with witnesses, and consequently granted the bail application.
The court adjourned further hearing in the case until October 29, 2026.