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Umar for arraignment over missing N4 billion

By Alifa Daniel, Abuja Bureau Chief
11 May 2016   |   3:05 am
Baring any unforeseen changes, former Air Chief, Mohammed Dikko Umar, may be arraigned before a Federal High Court today, to answer charges on his alleged involvement in a missing N4 billion ...

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Baring any unforeseen changes, former Air Chief, Mohammed Dikko Umar, may be arraigned before a Federal High Court today, to answer charges on his alleged involvement in a missing N4 billion from the coffers of the Air Force.

The arraignment is coming after months of investigation and weeks of interrogation, which took place in Abuja.

However, sources close to him, who craved anonymity maintained that the said amount was used for the Air Force with evidence of proper utilisation.

According to the source, the money “was what Umar used to execute the laudable projects for which he is known in the Nigerian Air Force. They were used to reactivate and maintain aircrafts for which no funds are released from the normal budgets.”

The source added that part of the money was “used for training programmes including pilot training, which reached a height under his watch. Remember that it was in the process that the Nigerian Air Force got the first female combat pilot.”

“Part of the said fund was used for payment of estacada allowances of officers on training, renovation and building of offices and residential accommodation for officers and men,” the source added.

A former air chief and chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, is currently facing trial in a Federal High Court over alleged mismanagement of Air Force resources.

President Mohammadu Buhari had asked the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to carry out more investigation, sequel to the report of the committee instituted by the National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno, on 18 senior military officers.

So far, only Badeh, who was also a Chief of Air Staff (CAS), and the immediate past CAS Adesola Amosu have been taken to court.

Others on the list of those for further investigation by the EFCC are, Air Vice Marshal A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration), AVM O.T. Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters), AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer Tactical Air Command, Makurdi) and AVM J.B. Adigun (former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF).

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