Alleged Fraud: Court Grants Ex-Code Of Conduct Tribunal Chair N100m Bail

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday granted the former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, bail in the sum of N100m.

Justice Peter Kekemeke, in a brief ruling, ordered that the defendant must provide one surety in like sum and the surety must possess a valid Certificate of Occupancy for a property in the nation’s capital.

Daily Trust reports that Umar was arraigned 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 CCT.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, the former CCT boss pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Before he was granted bail, his counsel 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.

The Counsel also 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.

The Court, therefore ordered that Umar is to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.