The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned the former chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on charges of corruption and gratification. According to the EFCC, Mr Umar allegedly received monetary gratifications from contractors who executed projects for the CCT, with payments channeled through his wife and children.
Details of the Alleged Gratification
In a statement, the EFCC revealed that Kurchmives International Limited, a subcontractor under a contract awarded by the CCT to Momanaf Global Ventures Limited for painting the tribunal’s headquarters, transferred N5 million to the account of Umar’s wife, Zulaihatu Umar, at Zenith Bank. Additionally, Portal Realities Limited, a sister company of JTF Global Links Limited—which was awarded a contract for the digitalisation of the CCT’s management records—sent N6 million to Mrs Umar’s account. The same company also paid over N4 million in school fees for Umar’s children, Faiza and Yakubu, at Baze University.
Legal Basis and Charges
The anti-graft agency stated that these actions violated Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which criminalises public officers using their office to confer undue advantage on themselves, friends, or family. The offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment upon conviction. The four-count charge includes specific allegations that Umar caused N5.5 million, N6 million, and two payments of N2,043,916.88 each to be made to his wife and children as tuition fees.
Court Proceedings and Bail Hearing
Mr Umar pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his plea, EFCC’s lawyer, Christopher Mshelia, requested that Umar be remanded in a correctional facility. However, Umar’s lawyer, Edward Sunday, drew the court’s attention to a bail application filed on behalf of his client. The prosecution acknowledged receiving the application at about 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday and asked for time to respond. The trial judge, Peter Kekemeke, adjourned the bail hearing until 15 July and ordered that Mr Umar be remanded at a correctional facility until then.
Details of the Charges
The charges read in court include: Count One, alleging that on 5 October 2021, Umar conferred a corrupt advantage by causing N5.5 million to be paid to his wife via Keystone Bank by Kurchmives International Limited. Count Two states that on 25 January 2024, he caused N6 million to be paid to his wife via Zenith Bank by Portal Realities Limited. Counts Three and Four allege that on 9 October 2024, he caused N2,043,916.88 each to be paid to Baze University as tuition for his daughter Faiza and son Yakubu, respectively, by Portal Realities Limited. All charges are under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices Act.
