A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has ordered the remand of the former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Umar, at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre.
​Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the order on Thursday following Umar’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering on abuse of office, nepotism, and contract-related fraud amounting to approximately N15.59 million.
​Umar pleaded not guilty to all counts. The anti-graft agency alleged that between 2021 and 2024, while serving as the CCT Chairman and head of its Tenders Board, Umar used his position to corruptly confer unfair advantages upon himself and his family through contractors handling tribunal projects.
​According to the charge sheet Umar allegedly caused Kurchmives International Limited, a subcontractor handling the internal and external painting of the CCT headquarters, to pay N5.5 million into his wife’s Keystone Bank account in October 2021.
In January 2024, he allegedly directed Portal Realities Limited, a company handling the digitization of the tribunal’s records, to transfer N6 million into his wife’s Zenith Bank account.
The ex-CCT boss was accused of directing a tribunal contractor to pay N4 million to cover the tuition fees of his children at Baze University, Abuja.
​The EFCC stated that these actions violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
​Following the defendant’s “not guilty” plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel Christopher Mshelia requested a formal trial date and urged the court to remand Umar in custody pending the commencement of proceedings.
​The defense counsel, Sunday Edward, countered by drawing the court’s attention to a pre-filed bail application, pleading for his client to be granted bail or held under liberal conditions, ensuring he would remain available for trial.
​However, the prosecution opposed an immediate hearing of the bail request, stating they had only been served with the motion at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday and legally required time to file a formal response.
Justice Kekemeke declined to hear the bail application immediately, adjourning the matter until July 15 to allow the prosecution time to reply. He subsequently ordered that Umar be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing.
