A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has remanded former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, in Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged corruption involving more than N13.9 million.
Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the remand order on Thursday after the Federal Government arraigned Umar on a four-count charge bordering on abuse of office and corruption.
According to the prosecution, Umar allegedly exploited his position as CCT Chairman to obtain financial benefits from contractors handling projects for the tribunal.
The Federal Government alleged that in 2021, Umar directed a contractor responsible for painting the CCT headquarters in Abuja to pay N5.5 million into his wife’s bank account. Prosecutors further claimed that on January 25, 2024, he received another N6 million through the same account from a contractor engaged in the digitisation of the tribunal’s records.
The charges also allege that Umar instructed another contractor to pay N2.43 million directly to Baze University for his daughter’s tuition fees.
The alleged offences are said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Umar pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
Following his plea, prosecuting counsel Christopher Mshelia urged the court to remand the former CCT chairman pending trial. Defence counsel, however, applied for bail, asking the court to release Umar while the case continues.
The prosecution opposed the request, informing the court that it had only just been served with the bail application and required time to file a response.
Justice Kekemeke subsequently adjourned the matter to July 15 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered Umar’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Danladi Umar is widely remembered for presiding over the controversial 2019 Code of Conduct Tribunal proceedings against then-Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen. His ex parte order paved the way for Onnoghen’s suspension, after which former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Justice Tanko Muhammad as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Although Justice Onnoghen later resigned, Umar convicted him over allegations of false asset declaration and ordered the forfeiture of funds in several of his bank accounts.
Comments