From Anti-Corruption Czar to Corruption Dock: Ex-CCT Chairman Danladi Umar Remanded in Kuje Prison

By Reporter

The fight against corruption in Nigeria took another ironic turn on Thursday as a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama ordered the remand of former Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman, Danladi Umar, in Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged corruption.

Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the remand order after the Federal Government arraigned the former CCT chairman on a four-count charge bordering on abuse of office and gratification.

According to the prosecution, Umar allegedly exploited the office he once occupied to secure personal financial benefits from contractors handling projects for the tribunal. Investigators claimed that in 2021, he received ₦5.5 million through his wife’s bank account from a contractor awarded the contract to repaint the CCT headquarters in Abuja.

The Federal Government further alleged that on January 25, 2024, the former tribunal chairman again used his wife’s account to receive ₦6 million from another contractor responsible for the digitisation of the tribunal’s records.

In a separate allegation, prosecutors accused Umar of directing a contractor to pay ₦2.43 million towards his daughter’s tuition at Baze University in Abuja.

The offences are said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which prohibits public officials from using their positions to obtain undue advantages.

Umar pleaded not guilty to all four counts.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel Christopher Mshelia asked the court to remand the defendant pending trial. Defence lawyers, however, sought his release on bail.

The prosecution opposed an immediate hearing of the bail application, informing the court that it had only just been served and required time to respond. Justice Kekemeke subsequently adjourned proceedings until July 15 to hear the bail application and ordered Umar’s remand in Kuje prison.

The case has drawn renewed attention because Umar once headed one of Nigeria’s key anti-corruption institutions responsible for enforcing asset declaration laws and maintaining ethical standards among public officials.

His tenure was also marked by one of the country’s most controversial judicial episodes. In January 2019, Umar issued an ex parte order that paved the way for the suspension of then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. Former President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently swore in Justice Tanko Muhammad as Acting Chief Justice.

Although Justice Onnoghen later resigned, Umar proceeded to convict him in April 2019 over allegations of false asset declaration. The tribunal ordered the forfeiture of funds in five bank accounts linked to the former Chief Justice and removed him from his positions as Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

The prosecution of the former CCT chairman has reignited debate over accountability within Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions, with many observers arguing that the credibility of the country’s anti-graft campaign depends on ensuring that those entrusted with enforcing integrity are themselves held to the same legal standards.