EFCC re-arraigns ex-NAF chief on N7bn money laundering charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday re-arraigned a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mohammed Umar (retd), before the Federal High Court, Abuja on seven counts of money laundering.

The prosecution accused him of criminal breach of trust and corruption involving about N7.382bn.

It alleged that Umar removed the money from the account of the Nigerian Air Force while the accused was the Chief of Air Staff.

Umar pleaded not guilty to all the seven counts when read to him before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on Wednesday.

The defendant was first arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the same Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on May 11, 2016.

But the case was transferred to Justice Dimgba before it could proceed to trial before Nyako.

The reason for the transfer of the case from Justice Nyako to Justice Dimgba was not stated.

The EFCC alleged in the charges that Umar used part of the N7.382bn said to have been removed the Nigerian Air Force’s account to acquire the property at Plot No. 1853, Deng Xiano Ping street, Off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja.

The defendant was also accused of using part of the money to purchase a residential property comprising four-bedroom duplex, with boys’ quarters at Road 3B, Street 2, Mabushi, Ministers Hill, Abuja.

He also allegedly used part of the money to acquire property at 14 Audu Bako Way, GRA, Kano and a three-bedroom duplex with three-room boys’ quarters at No. 8 Kabala Road, Unguwan Rimi, GRA, Kaduna.

He was also said used part of the money for the renovation/improvement of House No.1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street, Off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja.

The alleged offences were said to be contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.