All is set for the trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, for diverting N1.1 billion, among others, meant for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to buy a choice mansion for himself in Abuja.
Other allegations against Badeh include alleged spending of NAF funds to build a shopping mall worth N878,362,732.94; another N650 million for the purchase of a commercial plot of land and $2 million on a duplex in Abuja.
He was also accused of lavishing N240 million on another semi-detached duplex; buying a duplex for about N260 million for his son, Alex Badeh Jr. and spending N90 million to furnish the duplex.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) listed Badeh’s alleged financial recklessness in the 10-count charge filed against him at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The former CDS was flown from Lagos to Abuja at about 7pm amid tight security.
The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “The arraignment of the ex-CDS will be on Thursday; the court has given the date.”
Parts of the 10-count charge against him are:
●“That you Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force) and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited between January and December 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.1 billion removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase for yourselves a mansion situate at No. 6 Ogun River Street, Off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.
●“That you Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force) and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited between January and December 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did use dollar equivalent of the sum of N650,000,000 removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase for yourselves a commercial plot of land situate at Plot 1386, Oda Crescent Cadastral Zone A07, Wuse II, Abuja.
●“That you Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force) and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited between January and December 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did use an aggregate sum of N878,362,732.94 removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force and paid into the account of Rytebuilders Technologies Limited with Zenith Bank Plc for the construction of a shopping mall situate at Plot 1386, Oda Crescent Cadastral Zone A07, Wuse II, Abuja for yourself.
●“That you Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force) and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited between January and December 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did use dollar equivalent of the sum of N304 million removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force and paid into the account of Rytebuilders Technologies Limited to complete the construction for yourselves a shopping mall situate at Plot 1386, Oda Crescent Cadastral Zone A07, Wuse II, Abuja for yourself.”
In an affidavit in support of the charges, a member of the EFCC’s legal team, Mohammed Abubakar averred as follows: “That I am a member of the prosecuting team assigned by the commission to prosecute the charges against the accused persons herein and by virtue of my position, I am familiar with the facts of this case.
“That I have the consent and authority of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to depose to this Affidavit.
“That the facts deposed to hereunder are those derived by me in the course of performing my official duties.
“That investigation into this case has been substantially concluded. That I am of the opinion that a prima facie case has been made out against the accused persons herein.
“That the prosecution is ready to immediately commence trial. That the prosecution witnesses are ready and willing to come to court; and
“That I depose to this affidavit in good faith and believing same to be true and correct in accordance with the Oaths Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
(The Nation)
