A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has ordered the former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending a bail hearing, after he was arraigned on corruption-related charges Thursday.
Justice Peter Kekemeke ordered the remand after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) docked Umar on a four-count charge accusing him of conferring undue advantage on himself while heading the tribunal. Prosecuting counsel Christopher Mshelia asked the court to remand Umar and fix a trial date.
Umar pleaded not guilty to all four counts when the charges were read.
Umar's defense team informed the court of a bail application filed on his behalf and urged the judge to hear it.
The prosecution objected to an immediate hearing, telling the court it had only just been served the application and needed time to respond.
Justice Kekemeke adjourned the matter to July 15 for the bail hearing.
Umar's arraignment follows years after he presided over one of Nigeria's most contested judicial episodes — the 2019 removal of then-Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen.
As CCT chairman, Umar issued an ex parte order on January 23, 2019, that led to Onnoghen's suspension; then-President Muhammadu Buhari swore in Justice Tanko Muhammad as acting CJN two days later.
Though Onnoghen resigned on April 4, 2019, Umar went on to convict him on April 18, 2019, over false asset declaration allegations, ordering forfeiture of funds in five of Onnoghen's bank accounts and his removal from the National Judicial Council and Federal Judicial Service Commission.
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