Court Remands Ex-CCT Chairman in Kuje Prison

Former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama after he was arraigned on corruption charges brought by the Federal Government.

Justice Peter Kekemeke ordered Umar’s remand on Thursday after the Federal Government presented a four-count charge against him bordering on alleged abuse of office and corrupt practices.

According to the prosecution, investigations showed that Umar used his position as Chairman of the CCT to obtain financial benefits for himself during his time in office.

The government alleged that in 2021, he directed a contractor handling painting works at the CCT headquarters in Abuja to pay N5.5 million into his wife’s bank account.

Prosecutors also alleged that on January 25, 2024, another contractor responsible for digitising the tribunal’s records paid N6 million into the same account at Umar’s request.

In addition, the government accused the former tribunal chairman of instructing a contractor to settle his daughter’s tuition fees at Baze University, Abuja, with a payment of N2.43 million.

The prosecution said the alleged offences violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Umar pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before the court.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel Christopher Mshelia asked the court to remand the former CCT chairman in a correctional facility pending the commencement of trial.

His legal team, however, urged the court to grant him bail while the case is being heard.

The prosecution opposed the immediate hearing of the bail request, informing the court that it had only just received the application and needed time to study and respond to it.

After listening to both sides, Justice Kekemeke fixed July 15 to hear the bail application and ordered that Umar remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre until then.

The case comes years after Umar presided over the controversial trial of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.

In January 2019, Umar issued an ex parte order that paved the way for Onnoghen’s suspension from office.

Following that order, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari swore in Justice Tanko Muhammad as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria on January 25, 2019.

Although Onnoghen later resigned as Chief Justice on April 4, 2019, Umar proceeded to convict him later that month over allegations that he failed to properly declare his assets.

The tribunal also ordered the forfeiture of funds in five bank accounts linked to Onnoghen and removed him from his positions as Chairman of the National Judicial Council and the Federal Judicial Service Commission.