The Federal Government on Thursday tendered a cash sum of $1.3 million recovered from the Abuja mansion of retired Air Comdr. Umar Mohammed. The huge foreign currency which was tendered by the government at a Federal High Court in Abuja was admitted as an exhibit after it was counted in the open courtroom. The exhibit was tendered during the continuation of the trial of Mohammed for alleged fraud and money laundering charges brought against him by the government

During the resumed trial, the prosecution counsel, Labaran Magaji, tendered the cash as an exhibit along with various other currencies, with an explanation that they were recovered from the defendant. However, the defence counsel, Dr Hassan Liman (SAN), thereafter cross-examined the prosecution witness, Stephen Olatubosun through whom the exhibit was tendered. He informed the Court of his client’s intention to file a no-case submission on the grounds that a prima facie case has not been established against him.

Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo after listening to parties in the case ordered the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court to deposit the foreign currency with the Central Bank of Nigeria, pending the conclusion of the trial. He subsequently adjourned the case till May 27, for the adoption of final addresses, by the parties in the no-case submission motion.

Mohammed is facing three counts of alleged money laundering, illegal possession of firearms, and classified documents without authority. He was accused of receiving $1.3 million cash from one Worldwide Consortium PTY Ltd in 2016, through his company Easyjet Airlines in violation of the Money Laundering Act  2011.

Source: The Punch