Former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, has been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama over alleged corruption.
Justice Peter Kekemeke ordered Umar’s remand on Thursday after the Federal Government arraigned him on a four-count charge bordering on abuse of office and corruption.
According to the prosecution, investigations revealed that Umar allegedly used his official position to obtain undue financial benefits while serving as Chairman of the CCT.
The Federal Government alleged that in 2021, he received ₦5.5 million through his wife’s bank account from a contractor engaged to paint the tribunal’s headquarters in Abuja. He was also accused of receiving another ₦6 million through the same account on January 25, 2024, from a contractor handling the digitisation of the tribunal’s records.
In addition, Umar was alleged to have directed another contractor to pay ₦2.43 million as tuition fees for his daughter at Baze University, Abuja.
The offences are said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The former CCT chairman pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, urged the court to remand the defendant and fix a date for trial. Defence counsel, however, applied for bail pending the hearing of the case.
The prosecution opposed the immediate consideration of the bail application, informing the court that it had only just been served and required time to file a response.
Justice Kekemeke subsequently adjourned the matter to July 15, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Umar be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Danladi Umar is widely known for presiding over the 2019 Code of Conduct Tribunal proceedings involving former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, whose suspension and subsequent conviction generated significant national debate.
By Sophina Ovuike, Abuja
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