EFCC re-arraigns ex-Air Force chief, Umar over alleged fraud

Court resumes trial of Fayose’s associate
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, before the Federal High Court, Abuja over alleged N4.8 billion fraud.

Umar was alleged to have used funds he siphoned from accounts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) between September 2010 and December 2012 to acquire six choice properties in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna states.

But the defendant who was earlier docked before the Federal High Court in May 2016, had pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba.

Consequently, his lawyer, Mr. Hassan Liman (SAN) had 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 formerly in charge of the case.

In a bench ruling, Justice Dimgba directed the defendant to surrender his international passport as well as produce two sureties who must also own landed properties in Abuja.

The court has fixed February 13 and 16 for commencement of trial.

Meanwhile, the on-going trial of Biodun Agbele, an associate of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose resumed yesterday with the first prosecution witness, Sunday Alade, admitting to have served in the inauguration committee of the governor’s administration.

Alade, who is a manager at the Akure branch of Zenith Bank Plc, told the Federal High Court, Abuja under cross-examination by Agbele’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) that his appointment to serve in the committee was communicated to him in a letter dated September 9, 2014.

The witness in November last year gave a breakdown of how the sum of N1.2 billion was paid into Fayose’s account in different tranches.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba adjourned the matter till today for continuation of trial.