Stunning revelations were made by a witness in the ongoing trial of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, who is facing a multiple count charge over the diversion of Nigerian Air Force cash to the tune of N1.4billion.
Giving an insight into what transpired, a prosecution witness and the, Joseph Okpetu, said that Badeh paid his company, Havco Nigeria Limited the sum of N100 million to build churches, a mosque and a civic centre in Badeh’s village in Adamawa State. Air Marshal Alex Badeh Okpetu who continued his evidence as PW13 while being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, said, “I constructed a village house for the first defendant, Alex Badeh, between 2008 and 2012.
The fixings, features and painting were done in 2012. We also built a mosque opposite the house.
According to him, between N5 Million to N8 Million was spent on renovation of the church used for the thanksgiving.
He also told the court that he imported materials, plants and equipment for Badeh’s Kantiye Farm in Nasarawa State. Answering questions on his connection to Badeh’s company, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, Okpetu said:
When asked about the structure of his company, Dilplast Nigeria Limited, the witness responded:
Responding to questions from Akin Olujimi, SAN, the PW13 said that he was not stable psychologically when he made his statement at the EFCC, a response which made Jacobs jump to his feet. Jacob exclaimed and pointing to the defence, he said “I know that the witness is your own!”
He is standing trial alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97billion. He allegedly abused his office as CDS by using the dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.4 billion removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase properties in choice areas of Abuja between January and December, 2013. The offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act
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