The Federal Government, yesterday, presented a sum of $1.3 million allegedly recovered from the Abuja home of Air Commodore Umar Mohammed (rtd) before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The money was admitted as an exhibit after being counted in the open courtroom with a machine.

The evidence was in continuation of the trial of Mohammed for alleged fraud and money laundering.

At the resumed trial, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Labaran Magaji, tendered the cash along with other currencies, with an explanation that they were recovered from the defendant.

But the defence counsel, Dr. Hassan Liman (SAN), thereafter cross-examined the prosecution witness, Mr. Stephen Olatubosun, through whom the exhibit was laid down.

The senior lawyer, subsequently, informed the court of his client’s intention to file a no-case submission on the ground that the prima facie case had not been established against him.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, after listening to parties in the matter, ordered the court’s chief registrar to deposit the foreign currency with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) pending the conclusion of the trial.

The matter was, resultantly, adjourned till May 27 for the adoption of final addresses by parties in the no-case submission motion.

The retired Air Chief is facing a three-count charge 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.

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