By Vivian Okejeme
Abuja
The federal government yesterday told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, diverted about N4.8 billion, belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), to purchase property for himself.
He pleaded not guilty when the seven-count charge bothering on diversion of funds slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was read to him.
His defense counsel, Hassan Liman, however, prayed the court to admit Dikko to bail on self-recognition.
The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, admitted the defendant to bail on self-recognition.
The court further ordered the defendant to deposit his International Passport with the court registry.
Justice Nyako later adjourned till June 7, 8 and 9.
The seven count charges are:
Diko was alleged to have while being Chief of Air Staff between September 2010 and September 2012 coverted the United State Dollar equivalent of the aggregate sum of N4, 864, 630,000 removed from the account of NAF.
The offense was said to be contrary to Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Diko was also alleged to have used the sum of N700, 000, 000 removed from NAF account to purchase a property at No 14, Vistula Close, Off Panama Street, Maitama.
He was also accused of removing another N860, 000, 000 removed from the account of NAF to buy a property at Plot No. 1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street, Off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja.
In addition, the former chief of air staff was also accused of taken N500, 000, 000 from the account of NAF to purchase for himself a 4 bedroom Duplex with Boy Quarters at Road 3b, Street 2, Mabushi, Ministers Hill, Abuja.
He was accused of removing N250, 000, 000 from the account of NAF to buy himself a property at No 14, Audu Bako Way, GRA, Kano.
The offenses were said to be contrary to Section 15 (2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
The federal government listed about 21 witnesses to testify in the case.
