Ex-Air Force Chief begs for out of court settlement in N4.8bn money laundering case

A former Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Umar, has asked the Federal Government for an out of court settlement in a seven count charge of alleged laundering of N4.8 billion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Umar informed a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, through his lawyer, Hassan Liman, of moves he is making to settle the case out of court at the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Binta Nyako.

Umar had earlier pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by Justice Nyako on self-recognition.

Speaking on the moves, Liman said his client held meetings with officials of the EFCC, adding that the first meeting, involving the head of the legal department of the commission and the prosecuting counsel and Mr. Umar, was held on May 31 while another meeting was held on June 3.

He also informed the court that in attendance at both meetings was a member of the EFCC’s task force, Ibrahim Musa, and the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, adding, that the meeting resolved that the defendant should send a formal communication to the commission.

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Mr. Liman further disclosed that a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, dated June 6, had already been dispatched.

Prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, confirmed the development, saying he was aware that the defendant wrote to the chairman of the commission.

Tahir also informed the court that in the letter, the defendant was seeking to engage the Federal Government in a discussion over the charge.

However, the prosecuting counsel told the court they were ready to continue with the trial when the case was called. This was objected to by Umar’s counsel, Liman, who insisted it would be prejudicial to commence trial.

After listening to the two counsels, Justice Nyako, however, held that trial could not commence since the condition precedent for trial had not been met by the defence, adding that the defence ought to have filed a summary of defence for the trial to commence.

She adjourned the matter till June 16 for commencement of trial.

 

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