EFCC Arraigns Ex-Chief of Air Staff, Umar, for N9.7bn Fraud

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has docked a former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar (rtd.) before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a seven-count charge of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption.

At the court on Wednesday, the charges were read to Umar.

It said: ‘‘That you , Air Marshall Mohammed Dikko Umar,whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force between September 2010 to September 2012 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly converted the United States Dollar equivalent of the aggregate sum of N4,846,630,000,00(Four Billion,Eight Hundred and Fifty-Six Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) only removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Airforce ,when you reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity (to wit:criminal breach of trust and corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act,2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.’’

According to the statement from the Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, the accused person, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, SylvanuTahir, prayed the court for a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the commencement of his trial.

The defense counsel, Hasssan L.Liman, (SAN), told the court that he had filed a bail application and served same on the prosecution.

Consequently, Justice Nyako ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court registrar.

The defendant was also ordered not to leave the jurisdiction of the court while the trial lasts.

The case has been adjourned to July 7 and 9, 2016.