The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, re-arraigned the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged N4.8billion fraud.
Marshal Umar was alleged to have used funds he siphoned from accounts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) between September 2010 to December 2012, and purchased six choice properties in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna State.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/92/ 2016, EFCC alleged that the former Air Force boss 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 told the court that Umar had between September and December 2012 in Abuja, used the Dollar equivalent of N500m removed from NAF account to purchase a four Bedroom Duplex with Boys Quarters at Road 3B Street 2, Mabushi Ministers Hill, Abuja.
As well as used the US Dollar equivalent of N250m to purchase a property situated at No 14, Audu Bako Way, G.R.A. Kano State, in 2011. Marshal Umar, who was earlier docked before the high court on May 11, 2016, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, even as his lawyer, Mr. Hassan Liman (SAN) applied for his release on bail. Liman prayed the court to allow his client to go home on self-recognition as he was previously allowed to do by Justice Binta Nyako who was hitherto in charge of the case. Though EFCC lawyer, Mr. Tahir Sylvanus did not oppose Umar’s bail request, he however urged the court to impose some conditions.