A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has granted former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, bail in the sum of ₦100 million over allegations of abuse of office.
The ruling was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Peter Kekemeke, who directed Umar to provide one surety in the same amount.
The judge also ordered that the surety must own a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the former CCT chairman on a four-count charge.
The anti-graft agency accused him of using his former office to secure an unfair benefit for himself while serving as chairman of the tribunal.
When the charges were read before the court, Umar denied all four counts and pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer asked the court to grant him bail on favourable terms.
The defence argued that the EFCC had earlier released Umar on administrative bail during its investigation and that he obeyed every condition attached to it.
Counsel also told the court that Umar responded to every invitation from the commission throughout the investigation.
The prosecution opposed the application, insisting that Umar could flee the country if granted bail. It also argued that he might interfere with witnesses expected to testify during the trial, noting that some of them previously worked under him while he was chairman of the tribunal.
After listening to both sides, Justice Kekemeke ruled that the EFCC did not provide enough evidence to support its claim that Umar would abscond or interfere with witnesses if released.
Based on that finding, the court approved the bail request and fixed October 29, 2026, for the continuation of the case.
The judge further ordered that Umar should remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until he meets all the conditions attached to his bail.
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