Ex-NAF boss diverted N558.2m monthly for 2 years – Witness

Aformer Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar diverted N558.2 million monthly for two years amounting to N13 billion, a witness told an Abuja Federal High Court yesterday.

Dikko Umar is facing a seven-count charge of alleged money laundering and diversion of N9.8bn from Nigerian Air Force accounts between 2011 and 2012.

The prosecution witness, Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u, a former Director of Finance and Accounts in the Nigerian Airforce, told the court that Umar used the funds to buy choice properties across the country.

The witness, who was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir revealed how Umar rewarded him in return for his services by setting aside N120m for his office being the Department of Finance and Accounts.

He said the NAF receives the sum of N4bn as monthly allocation, while the actual figure used for payment of personnel salaries and emoluments is between N2.3bn and N2.4bn.

He said of the outstanding N1.6bn, “N558.2m was usually set aside for the upkeep of the defendant, while N120m was for the office of the DFA.”

He narrated how Dikko Umar usually instructs him to convert the sums to US dollars and deliver same to his private residence in Abuja.

He gave details of the properties purchased with the funds to include: Plot No 1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street off Mashatir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja for N860m; No 14, Ahmadu Boko Street, Government Reservation Area, Kano, at N250m; No 8, Kabala Road, Kaduna State at N80m, which was renovated with the sum of N75m; and a four bedroom duplex with boys quarters at 3B, Street 2, Mabushi Ministers Hill Abuja for N500m.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba has adjourned the case to February 16 for further hearing.