By Opeyemi Adelakun
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has ordered the remand of former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on corruption charges brought by the Federal Government.
Umar was docked before Justice Peter Kekemeke on a four-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and the receipt of unlawful benefits while serving as head of the tribunal.
According to the prosecution, investigations showed that the former CCT chairman allegedly exploited his position for personal gain by receiving financial benefits from contractors handling projects for the tribunal.
The Federal Government alleged that in 2021, Umar received ₦5.5 million through his wife’s bank account from a contractor engaged to repaint the CCT headquarters in Abuja. It further accused him of collecting another ₦6 million through the same account in January 2024 from a contractor responsible for the digitisation of the tribunal’s records.
The prosecution also alleged that Umar instructed another contractor to pay ₦2.43 million as tuition fees for his daughter at Baze University, Abuja.
The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
When the charges were read, Umar pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial and requested a date for the commencement of proceedings.
However, Umar’s legal team applied for bail, asking the court to release him pending the determination of the case.
The prosecution opposed an immediate ruling on the application, informing the court that it had only just been served with the bail request and needed time to file a response.
Justice Kekemeke subsequently adjourned proceedings until July 15 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Umar be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Umar served as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and presided over several high-profile cases, including the 2019 trial of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen. His latest prosecution marks one of the most significant corruption cases involving a former head of the tribunal.
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