A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, bail in the sum of N100 million over allegations of fraud and abuse of office.
Justice Peter Kekemeke, in a ruling on Wednesday, dismissed the prosecution’s objection to the bail application, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to establish that Umar would interfere with witnesses or commit another offence if released.
The court ordered the former CCT chairman to produce one surety with proof of ownership of property in Abuja as part of his bail conditions.
Justice Kekemeke subsequently adjourned the case until October 29 for the commencement of trial.
Umar was arraigned by the EFCC on July 9 on a four-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and unlawful enrichment.
According to the anti-graft agency, Umar allegedly received N5.5 million through his wife’s bank account in 2021 from a contractor engaged to repaint the Code of Conduct Tribunal headquarters in Abuja.
The EFCC further alleged that he received another N6 million through the same account on January 25, 2024, from a contractor responsible for the digitisation of the tribunal’s records.
The prosecution also accused Umar of directing a contractor to pay N2.43 million for his daughter’s tuition at Baze University, Abuja.
The former tribunal chairman pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following his arraignment, the court ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
