A prosecution witness in the corruption trial of former Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman Danladi Umar has told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja how he allegedly transferred money to Umar’s wife and paid university fees for his children following the award of a contract by the tribunal to his company.
The witness, Oluwatayo Fashogbon, a businessman associated with JTF Global Links Limited and Portal Realities Limited, gave the testimony on Thursday as the first prosecution witness in the case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Umar is facing a four-count charge over allegations that he used his public office to confer an unfair advantage on himself.
The proceedings are centred on alleged financial benefits linked to contracts awarded by the CCT and payments purportedly made to members of Umar’s family.
The allegations have not been established by the court, and Umar is entitled to the presumption of innocence as the trial continues.
Witness Details Alleged Payments
During his testimony, Fashogbon reportedly told the court that his company received a contract from the CCT in 2021.
According to his account, the contract covered the digitalisation of the tribunal’s personnel records, stores, accounts and online filing systems.
He said the company submitted the necessary documents to the tribunal’s procurement department before receiving notification that the contract had been awarded.
The witness reportedly told the court that the contract ran for 12 months and that his company received payments in instalments during its execution.
He further testified that after a subsequent payment was received in January 2024, Umar allegedly contacted him and requested that ₦6 million be transferred to the bank account of his wife, Zulaihatu Danladi Umar.
The witness said the money was transferred from a company account.
Fashogbon also told the court that, in October 2024, he received a request to assist with the payment of university fees for Umar’s children.
He testified that payments were subsequently made to Baze University for the children using a company account.
These details formed part of the prosecution’s account of the financial transactions it is seeking to establish in court.
Contract Award Under Scrutiny
The case concerns allegations that Umar used his position as chairman of the CCT and its Tender Board to confer an unfair advantage on himself.
The EFCC alleges that a payment of ₦5.5 million was made into his wife’s account by Kurchmivers International Limited on October 5, 2021.
The company was reportedly a subcontractor engaged to carry out internal and external painting work at the CCT headquarters.
The prosecution is expected to rely on witness testimony and documentary evidence to establish the alleged connection between public contracts and the financial benefits under investigation.
During the proceedings, the witness reportedly identified a contract award letter presented by the prosecution. The document was admitted in evidence.
The defence has the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and question the witness’s account during cross-examination.
Trial to Continue
Umar was arraigned by the EFCC on July 9, 2026, before Justice Peter Kekemeke at the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The case is being heard under charge number FCT/HC/CR/233/26.
The prosecution is seeking to establish that the former tribunal chairman used his position to obtain an improper advantage, while the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
The outcome of the case will depend on the evidence presented by both parties and the court’s assessment of the charges.
The matter is expected to continue as the prosecution advances its case and the defence responds to the allegations.