N13.5bn alleged fraud: EFCC to arraign another ex-Air Force chief, Umar

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to arraign a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Dikko Umar (retd.), for allegedly diverting over N13.5bn during his time as the head of the Nigerian Air Force.

It was learnt that the commission would arraign Umar before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday (today).

A former Director of Finance and Accounts at the NAF, Air Commodore Salisu Yushau (retd.), had revealed before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that some past NAF chiefs diverted N558.2m monthly from funds meant for the payment of salaries of NAF officials.

He told the court that the system was in place when he served under former Air chief, M. D. Umar, from 2010 to October 2012.

Umar headed the air force from September 9, 2010 to October 4, 2012. Calculations by PUNCH correspondent showed that N13,528,600,000 was the total sum allegedly diverted for the 23 months he served.

It was also learnt that the EFCC would arraign Umar for his alleged role in the $2.1bn arms scam.

Umar, his successor, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.); and Badeh’s successor, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), are under investigation by the EFCC for allegedly diverting millions of dollars.

The investigations centred on how 10 contracts, totalling $930,500,690.00, were awarded; the payment of  N4,402,687,569.41 for unexecuted contracts; the procurement of two used Mi-24V helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at $136,944,000.00; four used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at US$7,180,000.00 funded by ONSA and the cannibalisation of engines from NAF fleet to justify procurement of jets.

Other areas of investigation included  the excessive pricing of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar at $33m instead of $6m per one; the strange transfer of $2m to Mono Marine Corporation Nigeria Limited owned by some air force officers; the N15bn lavished on the maintenance of its Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters; the N2.5bn contracts awarded to Syrius Technologies(Ukrainian company) not registered in Nigeria and the award of seven contracts worth N599,118,000.00 contracts to Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria in which only two were delivered.

(Punch)