EFCC charges Ex-Chief of Air Staff, Dikko Umar over arms deal

Nigeria’s former chief of Naval staff, Air Vice Marshal Dikko Umar, has been arraigned in court.

He is arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

AVM Umar is being arraigned on a 7 count charge of alleged fraudulent arms purchases.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] had earlier announced that it will be arraigning the former Air Chief.

It said: “Former Chief of Air Staff M D Umar Dikko to be arraigned by the EFCC tomorrow, Wednesday, May 11, 2016, before Justice Binta Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.” 

Air Marshal Umar was Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff between 2010 to 2012.

It could be recalled that on January 15, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari  has given the anti-graft agency green light to establish the scope of the culpability of past army chiefs.

Others billed to be investigated in the fraudulent purchases are: 

– Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, 

– Air Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu, as well as,

– the defendant, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar (2010 -2012)

– Maj-Gen. E.R. Chioba (Rtd), former Director General, Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON)

– AVM I.A. Balogun (Rtd)

– AVM A.G. Tsakr (Rtd)

– AVM A.G. Idowu (Rtd)

– AVM A.M. Mamu (NAF Chief of Administration)

– AVM O.T. Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters)

– AVM T. Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings)

– AVM J.B. Adigun (former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting)

– AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Force Tactical Air Command, Makurdi)

– AVM J.A. Kayode-Beckley (Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre)

– Air Cdre S.A. Yushau (Rtd)

– Air Cdre A.O. Ogunjobi

– Air Cdre G.M.D. Gwani

– Air Cdre S.O. Makinde

– Air Cdre A.Y. Lassa (16) Col N. Ashinze (Special Military Assistant to former NSA Sambo Dasuki)

– Lt Col. M.S. Dasuki (Rtd).

Meanwhile, several companies have been traced to associates and relatives of some of the suspects. 

Earlier, the committee on the audit of defence equipment has confirmed that Nigeria spent about $2 billion and another N29 billion on NAF procurement alone during the period in question. 

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