Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered Air Commodore Umar Mohammed (retd.) to open his defence in two out of five counts bordering on money laundering.

Mr Ekwo gave the order on Thursday while ruling on a no-case submission application filed by Mr Mohammed.

The judge said the court found that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendant in counts three, four, and five.

He, however, held that a prima facie case was established against Mohammed on counts one and two, which required him to defend.

Counsel to Mohammed, Hassan Liman told the court that he would tentatively call two witnesses to testify in defence of his client.

The judge adjourned the matter until November 2 and November 3 for the retired air chief to open his defence.

The accused and his company Easy Jet Integrated Service Ltd, face money laundering, illegal possession of firearms, and classified documents without lawful authority.

Mr Mohammed also faces a charge of possessing two pump-action guns without valid licences contrary Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 2004 and for having in his possession classified/official documents without lawful authority contrary to Section 1(1) (b) of the Official Secrets Act Cap. O3 LFN, 2004.

Count one of the charges stated, “That you, Air Commodore Umar Mohammed (retd.), 54 years, male and Easy Jet Integrated Services Ltd on or about June 19, 2016, within the jurisdiction of this court, received the sum of one million, thirty thousand dollars in cash from Worldwide Consortium PTY Ltd, as payment for freight services, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b ) of the Money Laundering Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Section of the Act.”

(NAN)