Arms Deal: Mohammed Seeks Court’s Consent To Get Medical Treatment Abroad

By Ogbolu George with agency report

Umar Mohammed, a retired Air Commodore, on Tuesday asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to grant him leave to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment.

Mohammed, a former member of the presidential team investigating the arms deal, is standing trial over allegations of money laundering, possession of firearms and violation of the provisions of the Official Secret Act.

The Department of State Service (DSS) arraigned Mohammed in July 2016.

When the trial resumed on Tuesday, Hassan Liman (SAN), counsel to Mohammed, told the court that he had an application on behalf of his client seeking the court’s permission to travel.

”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.”

Liman who told the court that Mohammed was suffering from the consequences of a plane crash he had while still in service, was by no means trying to truncate the trial by seeking urgent medical attention abroad.

However, Shuaibu Labaran, the prosecution counsel, said even though he accepted the application, it should be noted by the court that he came prepared for the trial to proceed.

The application was adjourned for hearing till Feb. 16 by Justice John Tsoho.