FG Tenders $1.3m Cash Retrieved From Presidential Panel Member’s Home

The prosecution on Thursday tendered before a Federal High Court
in Abuja $1.3million cash among other currencies in the trial of a
member of the Presidential Committee on the Procurement of Arms and
Equipment in the Armed Forces, Air Commodore Umar Mohammed
(rtd).

Umar and his firm, Easy Jet Integrated Services Limited, are
being tried on a three-count charge of alleged money laundering,
illegal possession of firearms and classified documents without
authority.

Umar is accused of receiving $1.3m cash from a firm, Worldwide
Consortium PTY Ltd in 2016, through Easy Jet, an act said to
constitute a violation of the Money Laundering Act 2011.

At the resumption of proceedings on Thursday, lead prosecution
lawyer, Labaran Magaji tendered the cash, through a witness,
Stephen Olatubosun.

Magaji also tendered some other currencies, stating that all the
items were recovered from the defendants’ possession.

When Magaji was done with the witness, lead defence witness,
Hassan Liman (SAN) cross-examined Olatubosun.

Liman later told the court that his clients intend to make a
no-case submission.

He said the prosecution has not been able to establish a prima
facie case against the defendants to warrant their being required
to enter a defence.

Trial Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the cash tendered
by the prosecution should be deposited in an account with the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), by the court’s Chief Registrar
pending the conclusion of trial.

Justice Ewko then adjourned till May 27 for the adoption of
parties written submissions in relation to the defendants’ no-case
submission.

The prosecution on Thursday tendered before a Federal High Court
in Abuja $1.3million cash among other currencies in the trial of a
member of the Presidential Committee on the Procurement of Arms and
Equipment in the Armed Forces, Air Commodore Umar Mohammed
(rtd).

Umar and his firm, Easy Jet Integrated Services Limited, are
being tried on a three-count charge of alleged money laundering,
illegal possession of firearms and classified documents without
authority.

Umar is accused of receiving $1.3m cash from a firm, Worldwide
Consortium PTY Ltd in 2016, through Easy Jet, an act said to
constitute a violation of the Money Laundering Act 2011.

At the resumption of proceedings on Thursday, lead prosecution
lawyer, Labaran Magaji tendered the cash, through a witness,
Stephen Olatubosun.

Magaji also tendered some other currencies, stating that all the
items were recovered from the defendants’ possession.

When Magaji was done with the witness, lead defence witness,
Hassan Liman (SAN) cross-examined Olatubosun.

Liman later told the court that his clients intend to make a
no-case submission.

He said the prosecution has not been able to establish a prima
facie case against the defendants to warrant their being required
to enter a defence.

Trial Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the cash tendered
by the prosecution should be deposited in an account with the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), by the court’s Chief Registrar
pending the conclusion of trial.

Justice Ewko then adjourned till May 27 for the adoption of
parties written submissions in relation to the defendants’ no-case
submission.