Who Is Air Commodore Mohammed Umar?
Air Commodore Mohammed Umar also known as Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar is a retired Nigerian Air Force Chief and a former Chief of Air Staff under Ex President Jonathan who has been linked to EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu's corruption allegations scandal.
Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar was Nigeria's Chief of Air Staff under Goodluck Jonathan. Commodore Mohammed Umar took office as Chief of Air Staff 19 September 2010 and left office on 3 October 2012.
Date Of Birth, Birthday, Age: Air Commodore Mohammed Umar was born on 20th June 1955.
State Of Origin: Air Commodore Mohammed Umar was BORN in Kano Municipal Local Government Area of Kano State, 20 JUNE 1955.
Education, Schools ATTENDED
Air Commodore Mohammed Umar attended Victory College Cairo, Egypt 1963 Sardauna Memorial College Kaduna 1969-1973.
ENLISTED into the Nigerian Air Force JULY 1976 (member of Short Service Course 12)
TRAINING
Primary Flying Training Wing (now 301 Flying Training School), Kaduna 1977
Basic Flying Courses on Jet Provosts (MK.III/MK.V) RAF Linton-On-Ouse, UK
Advanced Flying Course Royal Air Force, Valley, UK
DO-228 Conversion Course at 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna.
Attended HS125, Hawker 1000, Falcon 900 and B727 Conversion Courses.
Junior Command and Staff Course at Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, Accra Ghana in 1989
Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji Kaduna from 1994 – 1995.
National Defence College, Abuja(member of Course 12) 2003 – 2004.
APPOINTMENTS
Fleet Captain on HS 125,
Commanding Officer Operational Services Wing
CO Operations Wing of the Presidential Air Fleet, Abuja.
Group Training Officer/CO Primary Flying Training Wing 301 Flying Training School Kaduna,
Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Abuja,
Command Evaluation Officer at Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Makurdi,
Deputy Director of Plans, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Abuja,
Commander 301 Flying Training School Kaduna
Coordinator Project Implementation Monitoring Team.
Director of Operations, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Abuja
INCUMBENT Air Officer Commanding Training Command, Kaduna.
HONOURS AND AWARDS DSS psc fwc Msc
Qualified Flying Instructor with a total of 8175 flying hours
Air Commodore Mohammed Umar And Ibrahim Magu, EFCC Boss:
Embedded in the Ibrahim Magu story is Retired Air Commodore Mohammed Umar.
According to Sahara Reporters:
The DSS in a 2016 report revealed that Ibrahim Magu was living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.
“In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service.
“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.
“Investigations show that the acting EFCC chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet owned by Mohammed.
“In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns,” the DSS report said.
$15b arms deals: Report indicts ex-military chiefs - The Nations 2016 Report
Some former military chiefs are likely to be invited over some suspicious arms contracts, The Nation learnt yesterday.
They are among those indicted by the Presidential Committee on the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces, a source said.
The committee is ready with its report on arms deals in the Army.
The panel, headed by Air Vice Marshal JON Ode, is expected to submit its report this week to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The audit report on procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector covers 2007 to 2015.
Some former Chiefs of Army Staff may be asked to respond to some issues in the report.
Ahead of the submission of the report, the chairman of the panel on Friday met with the President on some recommendations and the detention of one of its members, Air Commodore Mohammed Umar(retd.)
Umar is said to be central to the breakthrough recorded by the panel on some high-profile fraud.
The Air Commodore was arrested on June 19 by the Department of State Service (DSS). About $1,030,000 was reportedly found at his residence in Maitama District, Abuja.
The DSS has been working on clues that Umar might have taken “advantage of his membership of the Arms Panel” to extort suspects.
But Umar insisted that the money was payment to his company, Easy Jet Integrated Service Limited, for cargo flights to Houston and Hong Kong.
He said the payment on 12 May 2016 was for: Cargo flight (Ilyusin II-76 cargo plane from Nairobi-Houston) at $520,000 and drop-off from Nairobi-Hong Kong at $510,000.
The DSS is, however, still probing Air Commodore Umar.
A source told our correspondent that the Ode Panel was ready with what he described as an “explosive” report.
The source, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, said: “Certainly, heads will roll as it was the case when a similar outcome was presented to the Presidency on the Nigerian Air Force.”
The source said the panel’s chairman met with the President in company of the National Security Adviser(NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd).
“I think the panel had issues with the DSS over the arrest of Air Commodore Umar who is said to be central to the bursting of high-profile arms scandals. He was worried that Umar’s detention had to do with plans by some forces planning to destroy the panel.
“He made known his intention and that of other panel members to abandon the work over what they termed the unfair treatment of Air Commodore Umar,” the source said, adding:
“You know these people have presented their report on Air Force on the basis of which Badeh and other Air Force chiefs are now on trial. They were preparing to submit this week that of the Army, which has indicted many people.
“The detention of Umar was seen by the panel as part of a sinister ploy to get at the committee and rubbish all that we have done. And the Air Commodore, being a key member of the committee, knows too much and has a lot of documents that aided our work. That is why some are jittery.”
“Umar was instrumental to the early success of the committee as he used his personal money to hire foreign experts on forensics and arms procurement to help the committee in unearthing alleged frauds committed over the years.”
Apart from the chairman of the panel, some senior government officials and other individuals close to the President are said to have been angered by what they called “shabby and disgraceful treatment meted out to Umar for no just cause and allegations that cannot be proven”.
A delegation of five governors led by Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, was said to have met President Buhari on Thursday to complain about the travails of the retired military officer and the implications of what they called “the power game” on the government.
Some of the items recovered by the DSS from the residence of the Air Commodore on June 19, 2016 are 13 vehicles; various denominations of both foreign and local currencies; one bag containing documents; one Black Star Express bag containing documents; a laptop; a document containing details of disbursements made by the Armed Forces and security agencies, Volume 1-3; document on contract for Niger Armec EE Niger; document on Nigerian Air Force Holding Company(NAFHC) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria; two files of Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited documents; and one file of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Also listed are two Pump Action guns.
The DSS has filed a First Information Report (FIR) with a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abuja on Air Commodore Umar to ensure that his detention is in line with the law.
Umar is undergoing investigation for alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.
The FIR reads in part: “Illegal possession of firearms and money laundering contrary to Section 27(1) (b) (i) of the Firearms Act Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 15(1) (d) (e) of the Money Laundering Act Cap. M18 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“Enquiries by the State Security Service revealed that Air Commodore Umar Mohammed (rtd) has in his possession two Pump Action guns with Serial Numbers 09/1573 and 397 without a valid licence and large sums of money in local and foreign currencies suggestive of the fact that he received the said monies in contravention of the Money Laundering Act.”
A document sighted by our correspondent revealed that the FCT police on March 10, 2000 granted Mohammed the gun licence in line with The Firearms Act of 1958.
The gun is described as SBSG, 12 Calibre or Bore, made by Magnum with No. 397. The ammunition is cartridge with 100 rounds.
The licence reads: “Licence is hereby granted Air Commodore Mohammed Umar of House No. 4 Lundi Close, off Missisipi Road, Maitama, Abuja to possess and bear the firearm described in the Schedule hereunder. The licence is issued subject to the following terms: Hunting and Gaming. The licence is valid until 31st December, 2010.”
The licence was for a period of 10 years; it was not immediately clear why Umar did not renew it.
He ran into trouble with the DSS for not renewing the said licence.
A source gave an insight into the investigation of Air Commodore Umar by the DSS.
He said: “Air Commodore Umar was a known face in Aso Rock from the time of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua up to the twilight of Jonathan administration.
“A very close ally of Isa Yuguda during the inglorious days of the Cabal operating in the Presidency in the absence of an incapacitated late President Umaru Yar’Adua, under the Buhari administration, he has struck a blossoming partnership with a top security chief.
“There is also pressure on investigators to question him as to how he got the money to float Easy Jet as an Air Commodore?
“An equally important question is why keeping government documentary evidence in personal abode?”
The source spoke of “a cabal fraternising with close aides of the President while also going around to drop the President’s name for favour-seekers.
“The activities of the cabal are gradually becoming an embarrassment to the anti-corruption campaign of the Buhari-led administration.”
The cabal is said to have turned the home of a member of the arms probe panel into a “trial-before-trial” meeting place.
“It will be recalled that former Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu retuned N2.3b to the Federal Government. The EFCC also seized houses belonging to Mr. Amosu worth over N500m, in addition to $140,000 USD in cash with an additional N381m seized from Mr. Amosu’s wife.
“The cabal’s tentacles are growing by the day and might be bigger than what was experienced under any administration in Nigeria.
“The latest onslaught was unleashed on the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari who has been considered a threat to the cabal’s operations. He has been targeted and silenced with a view to successfully isolating the Presidency. Kyari has been side-lined.
But there were rumours last night over plans to save Umar.
A security source said: “Insiders also squealed that an independent team of investigators would be raised to establish the veracity of all allegations against Mohammed Umar.
“This proposed move is to forestall a scandal of unimaginable proportions which could threaten the success of Buhari’s anti-corruption war.”
A source close to Umar debunked all the allegations and described them as baseless.
He said: “These allegations are like wild goose chase. One, how can a person with unblemished military career like Air Cmdr Umar and who is close to the President be accused of terrorism financing? Which terrorists? And because that cannot fly they changed the music.
“The two pump action guns they picked from his house were registered when he procured them in the year 2000. The licence is there. And how can you say someone who has business interests all over the world cannot be found in possession of foreign currencies?
“Air Commodore Umar travels widely. He is a friend of several heads of governments across the world and his two companies, Easy Jet and African Energy, have business interests the world over. And the cars that they found there are vehicles that he bought over the years; some 10 some, some eight, some five years.”
Why Buhari ordered arrest of close ally and arms panel member, Umar - Premium Times 2016 Report
President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the arrest of a key member of the panel investigating the mismanagement of public funds meant for the war against Boko Haram after receiving damning reports that he was involved in alleged money laundering and illegal possession of firearms, reliable security and presidency sources have told PREMIUM TIMES.
Despite being his close ally and loyalist, Mr. Buhari okayed the arrest of Mohammed Umar, after perusing reports alleging that the retired Air Force officer ran a blackmailing and extortion cartel, officials said.
Mr. Umar was arrested last week as operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) raided his Abuja home.
Those familiar with the matter said before moving against the retired officer, the Director General of the SSS, Lawal Daura, met with Mr. Buhari where he tabled reports suggesting that the panel member had been busy using the name of the president and other top officials of the administration to intimidate, extort and blackmail individuals and businesses.
“The president became worried and jittery when he was confronted with the way a man he trusted had been behaving,” a presidency source said. “So he ordered that he should be picked up while the allegations against him are thoroughly investigated.”
Security sources told this newspaper that documents seized from Mr. Umar’s residence during a raid on June 19 included classified documents from the president’s office, details of government transactions from the Central Bank of Nigeria, and details of bank transactions belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser.
A document containing details of disbursements made to the Nigerian armed forces and security agencies was also recovered during the raid.
Mr. Umar retired as an air commodore in the Nigerian Air Force in January 2014. While in service, he headed the Air Force’s Holding Company as well as the Air Force Properties Limited.
He retired into enormous wealth, officials involved in the investigations said.
Currently, he has six companies, including a private jet company with a fleet size of 10 aircraft, officials said.
Security sources also said he is also one of Abuja’s biggest property owners.
“Many top government functionaries live in his houses in Abuja,” a security source said. “He also has properties in Dubai and London.”
Ally or double agent?
Mr. Umar became a close ally of President Buhari shortly after the 2015 elections.
Armed with a cache of information on Nigeria’s security contracts during the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan, he soon became a key figure in the president’s investigative committee on arms procurement.
“He suggested most members of the panel,” another presidential source told PREMIUM TIMES.
However, investigators said Mr. Umar’s swift rise to relevance in President Buhari’s administration was beginning to raise concerns regarding whether the new administration failed to conduct a thorough background check on him, or simply ignored the man’s past.
Officials said Mr. Umar was one of the first military officers to be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission just years after the anti-graft agency was established.
He was detained for salary and procurement fraud in the Air Force, but the matter was later handed over to the military for trial, those familiar with the matter said.
Our sources said Mr. Umar was compelled to make refunds, and the matter was brushed aside allowing the man to return to the force.
Multiple officials told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Umar’s stupendous wealth has always confounded several of his colleagues.
“As far back as 20 years ago, when his annual salary couldn’t afford a car, Mr. Umar had a private jet,” one source said.
Married to the daughter of a former Nigerian petroleum minister, Rilwan Lukman, Mr. Umar ran local and international businesses while he served in the Nigerian Air Force, one source said.
Cash Only
According to court documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Umar carried out his recent deals in cash only.
Despite owning a private jet company and multiple real estates across the world, the total amount traced to his bank accounts was only N165 million.
The total value of currencies evacuated from his residence during the raid was at least N300 million.
Security officials believe he received the cash payments – in breach of the money laundering law.
Investigators are also trying to determine whether the cash were proceeds of illicit deals and influence peddling.
Those close to him told PREMIUM TIMES that part of the cash taken from Mr. Umar’s home were payments for services rendered by his private jet company, Easy Jet Integrated Services Limited – from two cargo flights from Nairobi to Houston and Nairobi to Hong Kong.
Investigators said they are working to verify the claims.
Other properties seized from the retired officer’s home during the raid include 13 luxury cars – One Range Rover, two Rolls Royce, two Bentleys, one BMW 7-series, one Mercedes 5550, one Lexus Sports, one Audi R8 and one Porsche Panamera GTs.
As of Monday, Mr. Umar was still held at the State Security Service detention centre in Abuja as security officials continued with investigations into the matter.
The presidency refused to comment for this story saying it was within the scope of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The NSA could not be reached for comments. So also is the SSS, which is investigating the matter. The agency has had no media liaison since its former spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, was removed.
Ex-Air Force Chief Umar Forfeits Five Mansions To Federal Government - - Sahara Reporters 2017
A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar (retd.) has temporarily forfeited five properties to the Federal Government, Sunday PUNCH has learnt.
According to court documents sighted by our correspondent, the properties include four mansions and a castle with a mosque.
Three of the properties are located in the upscale areas of Maitama and Asokoro in Abuja while two others are located in Kaduna and Kano.
The properties are: A six-bedroomed duplex with two-bedroomed ‘boys quarters’ located at 14 Vistula Close off Panama Street, Maitama which he allegedly bought for N700m; a castle with a swimming pool and a mosque located at 1853 Denf Xiao Ping Street, Asokoro Extension which he allegedly purchased at N860m and renovated at the cost of N66m in 2012.
Other properties include a four-bedroomed duplex with a ‘boys quarters’ located at Road 38, Street 2, Ministers’ Hill, Mabushi which he allegedly bought at a cost of N500m; a three-bedroomed duplex and a three-bedroomed guest chalet located at 8 Kabala Road Unguwan Rimi, GRA, Kaduna State allegedly purchased at the cost of N80m while between N75m and N80m was spent on the renovation.
The suspect also forfeited a six-bedroomed duplex with ‘boys’ quarters’ and a two-bedroomed guest chalet located at 14 Audu Bako Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano State.
Acting on an affidavit in support of the motion sworn to by Hammadama Bello and Sylvanus Tahir for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice J.T Tsoho ordered an interim forfeiture of the assets and the stoppage of any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the assets or properties.
The judge also authorised the chairman of the EFCC to appoint competent persons or firms to manage the assets and the proceeds realised from them to be lodged in an interest-yielding account pending the conclusion of Umar’s trial.
The judge, however, ordered that the EFCC shall file an undertaking to compensate Umar if it turns out that the forfeiture order ought not to have been granted.
Umar, who is currently standing trial before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of a Federal High Court in Maitama, is accused of diverting N9.7bn from the account of the Nigerian Air Force.
The former air chief, who served between September 2010 and 2012, was accused of diverting about N558m from the Air Force account monthly.
At the last hearing on February 13, 2017, an EFCC witness, Air Commodore S. A. Yusahau (retd.), who is a former Director of Finance and Accounts, narrated how Umar used NAF funds to acquire the properties.
He said, “I receive all money of the Nigerian Air Force and disburse it as authorised by the defendant. The Nigerian Air Force received its funds to the tune of N4bn monthly.
“Of the N4bn, the actual figure used in paying staff salary was between N2.3bn and N2.4bn. Out of the remaining N1.6bn, N558.2m was usually set aside for upkeep of the defendant (Umar), while N120m was for the office of the DFA (Director of Finance and Accounts).”
He alleged that the N558.2m that was set aside for the upkeep of the Chief of Air Staff’s office was always converted to its dollar equivalent and taken to Umar in his house.
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