EFCC: Witness Tells Court of N10m Payments to Ex-CCT Chairman Umar’s Wife, Children
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Yakubu Umar, has told an Abuja High Court how he allegedly paid N10 million to the former tribunal chairman’s wife and two children.
The witness, Oluwatayo Solomon Fashogbon, disclosed this on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while testifying before Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Fashogbon, Chief Executive Officer of Portal Realities Limited and JTF Global Links Limited, appeared as the first prosecution witness in the four-count charge instituted against Umar by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former CCT chairman is facing trial over alleged nepotism and conferring corrupt advantage on himself involving N15,587,833.76.
Led in evidence by EFCC prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, the witness told the court that he transferred N6 million into the Zenith Bank account of Umar’s wife, Mrs Zulaihatu Danladi Umar, on January 25, 2024, allegedly following instructions from the defendant.
According to Fashogbon, the payment was made two days after his company received the fourth instalment of payment for a contract awarded by the CCT.
He explained that the contract, valued at approximately N140 million, was awarded to JTF Global Links Limited in September 2021 for the digitalisation of the tribunal’s personnel records, stores, accounts and online filing systems.
The witness said the contract was for 12 months and that his company received four instalments, with payments made in September 2021, December 2021, July 2022 and January 23, 2024.
He further told the court that Umar personally contacted him on January 25, 2024, requesting that N6 million be paid into his wife’s bank account.
Fashogbon said the money was transferred from the Wema Bank account of Portal Realities Limited.
The witness also narrated how he allegedly facilitated the payment of university fees for Umar’s two children.
He told the court that in October 2024, the then Deputy Director of Procurement at the CCT, Akinola Akanji, contacted him, saying Umar had requested assistance with his children’s school fees.
According to him, he subsequently paid approximately N2 million into Baze University’s account for Umar’s son, Yakubu Danladi Umar, through the Jaiz Bank account of Portal Realities Limited.
He added that a similar payment was made for the defendant’s daughter, Faiza Umar Danladi.
During the proceedings, the prosecution tendered the contract award letter, which was admitted in evidence and marked as Exhibit A.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, S. Edward, the witness maintained that his company was qualified to execute public contracts, citing previous engagements with the CCT and other government institutions.
He also insisted that the contracts were awarded based on his company’s qualifications and submitted documents.
Justice Kekemeke adjourned the case until January 20, 2027, for continuation of hearing.
