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Arms deal: EFCC lines up 4 more witnesses against Badeh


Economic and Financial Crimes C o m m i s s i o n EFCC, Wednesday told Justice Okon Abang of Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that it has four additional witnesses to prove the allegation of money laundering charges against the former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and his company, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited.
Alex Badeh


Badeh is standing trial alongside his firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, for allegedly abusing his office, by using the dollar equivalent of N1.4 billion removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to purchase properties in choice areas of Abuja between January and December 2013.

The sixth prosecution witness, Air Commodore Mohammed Lawal Sini concluded his testimony Wednesay after he was cross-examined by counsel to the first and second defendants, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) and Sam Ologorisa respectively.

The prosecution had already called six witnesses, who gave evidence in the 10-count charge preferred against Badeh and his company.

At the resumed trial Wednesday, the witness (PW 6), a director in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) when asked what the N120 million the first prosecution witness, Air Commodore S. A. Yushau mentioned in his testimony was used for, said the money was allocated for the running of the official duties of the Air House (Official residence of the Chief of Air Staff).

These duties, he said, included movements of the Chief of Air Staff, maintenance of the Air House and any task related to the Air House that Yushau gives.

The witness said the disbursement of the funds on monthly basis was being done according to the instruction of my director, explaining, “If the Chief of Air Staff is travelling, for instance, my director approves what is to be given for the trip.” Sini on Tuesday gave the court details of events that occurred when he was the Camp Finance Officer, CFO, 106 Camp, in 2012.

He said 106 Camp was established to provide administrative services to NAF HQ complex, the Air House and other Air Force units within Abuja.

He added that he reported to the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), then Air Commodore S. A. Yushau, (PW1), within the Headquarters.

“I took instructions from him with respect to financial operations within the Unit.

Squadron Leader E. N. Abu was the cashier, my subordinate. 106 Camp receives funds from NAF procurement,” he told the court while shedding light on how N558 million Nigerian Air Force funds was converted to personal use while Badehb held sway as Chief of Air Staff.

The court on Tuesday admitted in evidence documents showing payments to contractors allegedly working for the former Chief of Air Staff after the testimony PW 6, who told the court that on assumption of office, he was intimated of the monthly disbursement of N558,200,000, officially earmarked for maintenance of the office of the Chief of Air Staff.

“We pay salaries. I report to a Director of Finance and Accounts within the headquarters.

I take instructions from him with respect to financial operations within the unit. With me as the CFO, is the cashier, Squadron Leader E.N. Abu, who takes instruction from me, while I take instruction from the DFA.

“I took over from Group Captain Ifeobu when I reported.

He told me that a certain part, a figure that I can remember - N558,200,000, is meant for the official administrative maintenance of the office of the Chief of Air Staff and that I am to be reporting to Director, Finance and Account on the details of disbursement.’’

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