A former member of the presidential team investigating arms deal, Umar Mohammed standing trial over allegations of money laundering and possession of fire arms, has sought court permission to travel abroad for medical attention.
“The case has been set for trial today, however, we have filed an application this morning on behalf of the defendant to seek the leave of the court to enable him attend to an urgent medical treatment.”
The State Security Service busted and arraign Mohammed in July 2016 over allegations bordering on of money laundering. He was accused of laundering about $1.3 million (about N400million).
He was admitted to bail in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in the sum of N50 million each.
At the resumed trial on Tuesday, counsel to Mr. Mohammed, Hassan Liman, told the court that he had an application on behalf of his client seeking the court’s permission to travel
Liman told the court that Mohammed, a retired air force commodore, is suffering the consequences of a plane crash he had while still in service as an officer.
According to him, the permission to travel for medical treatment was by no means a ploy to truncate the trial but only to ensure that he was fit to attend to his trial.
He prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable the prosecution go through the application.
Prosecuting counsel, Shuaibu Labaran, told the court that even though he conceded to the application for adjournment, he wanted it on the court’s record that he came prepared for commencement of trial.
The prosecution came prepared to go on with the matter but we are confronted with the application filed by the learned SAN for the defendant.
“We have all our witnesses in court to prove our case and so we are more than ready to proceed with the trial.”
Justice John Tsoho adjourned the matter till February16 to hear the application.