(Court. Photo by Daily Trust)
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 N100 million.
Justice Peter Kekemeke, in a brief ruling, ordered that the defendant provide one surety in like sum, with the surety required to possess a valid Certificate of Occupancy for a property located within the nation’s capital.
It was gathered 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.
Prior to the bail grant, his counsel urged the court to admit Umar to bail on liberal terms, arguing that he had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and had never absconded.
The counsel further informed the court that Umar had consistently honoured the Commission’s invitations throughout the course of investigations.
The prosecution, however, opposed the application, contending that the defendant posed a flight risk and could potentially interfere with prosecution witnesses, some of whom had worked under him during his tenure as CCT Chairman.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the prosecution had 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 matter until October 29, 2026, and ordered that Umar remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending fulfilment of his bail conditions.
