The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar.
Umar was brought before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged N4.8 billion fraud.
He is being accused of using funds belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to purchase six choice properties in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna between September 2010 and December 2012.
As
contained in the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/92/ 2016, the
anti-graft agency alleged that Umar transferred N66million 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 No 1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street, Off
Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension Abuja.
It said between September and December 2012,
the former Chief of Air Staff 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.
Umar
also allegedly used the US dollar equivalent of N250 million to
purchase a property situated at No 14, Audu Bako Way, G.R.A. Kano State,
in 2011.
The accused had initially been
arraigned the accused before Justice Dimgba, and he pleaded not guilty
to the charges brought against him.
Upon the prayers of his lawyer, Mr. Hassan Liman
(SAN), Justice Dimgba granted Umar bail on self-recognition and was
directed to surrender his international passports to the deputy
registrar of the court, as well as to produce two sureties who must not
only own landed properties in Abuja, but also depose to an affidavit of
means before the court.
The court fixed February 13 and 16, 2017 for the commencement of hearing.
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