Presidential Arms Committee member get N100m bail as court adjourns to October 26

The Federal High Court, Abuja has admitted Air Commodore Umar Mohammed to bail in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in the sum of N50 million each. The Department of State Services arraigned Mohammed on Thursday over allegations of money laundering, possession of fire arms and violation of official secret act.
Umar, a retired Air Force officer, was a member of the presidential team investigating the arms deal in the country.

Trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, said he was minded to grant the defendant bail because the prosecution had failed to show that he would jump bail.
Dimgba said: “I note that the offence the defendant is charged with carries a sentence of three years imprisonment.
“Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), I am required to release a person charged within the threshold of the penalties referenced above to bail.
“This is, however, except in circumstances where there is reasonable ground to believe that the defendant when released on bail will commit another offence.

“Other circumstances are where he attempts to influence or interfere with the investigation of the case, attempts to conceal evidence or prejudices the proper investigation of the case.
“I have carefully read all the submissions before me, I am not convinced that a sufficient case has been made by the prosecution that any of the above negative conditions exist as to prevent the court from granting bail.
“I hold therefore that I am inclined to admit the defendant to bail and I so admit him.”
Dimgba added that every citizen charged with an offence was entitled to a conducive environment devoid of fear to prepare his defence.
He noted, moreover, that the subject matter of the charge was principally the sum of $1.3 million, whose naira equivalent was about N400 million.
He added that the said amount was already in the custody of the prosecution, having been seized.
The other bail conditions are that the defendant shall forfeit the N100 million to the Federal Government if he jumps bail and the two sureties are to each enter a bail bond for the sum of N50 million.
The judge also said the sureties could be private businessmen, professionals or civil servants, adding that if in the civil service, a surety must not be less than the rank of a director.
The sureties must also be owners of developed property within the Federal Capital Territory and not on the outskirts of the city.
They are to also provide evidence of payment of income tax for the past three years.
The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passports with the registrar of the court and must not travel abroad without the permission of the court.
He further said the trial shall be accorded accelerated hearing and the defendant would remain in prison custody until he perfects his bail conditions.
Dimgba adjourned the case till October 26 and 27 for the commencement of trial.
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