Alleged N 4.8 Billion fraud, former chief of air staff Umar docked granted bail

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Wednesday, docked former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over alleged N4.8 billion fraud.Umar, who pleaded not guilty to a seven-count criminal charge the anti-graft agency preferred against him, was alleged to have used funds he siphoned from accounts of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, between September 2010 and December 2012 to purchase six choice property in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna states.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/92/ 2016, EFCC alleged that Umar transferred N66 million into the Stanbic IBTC account No. 9202077424 belonging to Capital Law office from NAF operations account domiciled at UBA Plc, for the renovation/improvement of a house at 1853, Deng Xiao Ping Street, Off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja.

EFCC alleged in count-four that Umar, between September and December 2012 in Abuja, used the dollar equivalent of N500 million removed from NAF account to purchase a four-bedroom duplex with boys quarters at Road 3B, Street 2, Mabushi Ministers Hill, Abuja.

The ex-NAF boss was further alleged to have in year 2011, used the dollar equivalent of N250 million to purchase a property situated at 14, Audu Bako Way, G.R.A. Kano State.

Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar (retd) (middle) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday.
Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar (retd) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday.


He was in count-seven alleged to have used N700 million withdrawn from NAF account to purchase a property at 14, Vistula Close, off Panama Street, Maitama, Abuja.

The prosecution maintained that the defendant committed an offence contrary Section 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended.

Application for bail

Shortly after Umar pleaded his innocence to the allegations against him, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, applied for trial date, even as he prayed the court to remand the defendant in custody.

However, the defence lawyer, Mr. Hassan Liman, SAN, told the court that he had already filed an application dated May 9, seeking the release of the accused person on bail, pending the determination of the case against him.

While confirming that the bail application was duly served on him, EFCC lawyer said he would leave the issue at the discretion of the court.

“We, however, urge my lord to give conditions that will guarantee the appearance of the defendant for trial,” Tahir added.

In a short ruling, trial Justice Binta Nyako granted the defendant bail on self recognition.

The judge, who noted that Umar was previously granted administrative bail by the EFCC, however, ordered him to surrender his international passport to the deputy registrar of the court.

Besides, Justice Nyako ordered the defendant not to travel outside the jurisdiction of the court without permission.

The case was subsequently adjourned till June 7, 8 and 9 for trial.