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Alleged Money Laundering: Ex-Chief of Air Staff to know Fate March 17

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Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday, fixed March 17 for judgment in the remaining one count charge of money laundering levelled against former Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Umar.

Umar, who retired as an air marshall is charged with one count of money laundering, because six of the seven counts originally instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were dismissed by the court in 2021.

At the resumed hearing, counsel adopted their final addresses and adumbrated on salient issues to further strengthen their arguments.
Counsel to Umar, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, adopted and relied on the processes filed by the defendant in urging the court to dismiss count 7, discharge and acquit the defendant.
Ikpeazu said he based his submission on the grounds that the EFCC failed to provide evidence to establish that the offence alleged in the count was committed by the defendant.

According to Ikpeazu, there was no exhibit to show that there was a transfer of N66 million from the account of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF)  to Capital Law Firm for renovation of the defendant’s private residence. The senior lawyer maintained that the argument of the prosecution that Umar be convicted on a lesser charge was untenable in law. “In all cases of lesser offences, there must be two separate offences as one cannot be charged for one offence and convicted on an entirely different charge. “The court cannot go outside the law charged and convict under another law not charged.” He said that the money that left NAF account to Capital Law Firm Account was N57 million in two tranches of N47 million and N10 million and that the only way the count could stand was to amend the charge.

For his part, the prosecuting counsel, Mr  Sylvanus Tahir maintained that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that money left NAF account to Capital Law Firm account. “We didn’t prove that N66 million left NAF account but N57 million left in two tranches of N47 million and N10 million. He said in as much as the prosecution conceded to the fact not N66 million but N57 million left the account, it still remained a crime as the money was used for private purpose. He urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Justice Dimgba thereafter fixed March 17 to deliver judgment. The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Umar was first arraigned on Jan. 25, 2017 on a seven-count charge of money laundering and procurement fraud to the tune of N9.7 billion. But on Feb. 23, 2021, Justice Dimgba, ruling on a no-case submission filed by the defendant, discharged and acquitted the former chief of air staff on six out of the seven-counts. The court said it found merit in a no-Case submission the defendant filed in relation to counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the charge on the grounds that the evidence given by the EFCC could not sustain the charges. It however, refused and dismissed the no -case submission with regards to count seven. The remaining charge  has to do with alleged diversion of N66 million from the NAF’s bank account.(NAN)

CRIME

Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno

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The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.

10 while riding a tricycle.

He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.

He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.

“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.

“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.

Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)

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CRIME

Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss

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From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State,  Danlami Abdullahi  Saku was assaulted and seriously  injured over his inability  to settle  a campaign  loan he obtained,  the State Police  Command said three suspects were now in their  custody  over the incident.

Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun  in a release on Wednesday said  On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.

Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer,   the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.

He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.

A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.

The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.

The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.

“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.

“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”

The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.

However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.

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CRIME

Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos

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There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.

Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.

An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.

Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.

He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.

The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.

We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.

“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”

Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.

He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.

“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.

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