The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on July 4, 2018 re-arraigned a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd) on an amended 14-count charge bordering on money laundering offence.
Badeh was first arraigned along with Iyalikam Nigeria Limited before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in 2015 on a 10-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N3.9billion. He allegedly diverted Nigeria Air Force, NAF funds for personal enrichment, and acquisition of properties in choice areas of Abuja.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that new developments necessitated the need to amend the charges.
One of the new charges reads: .
“That you, AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ALEX S. BADEH (RTD) and IYALIKAM NIGERIA LIMITED on or about 24th February 2016 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did retain possession of the sum of $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollar) only which you kept at No.6 Ogun River Street, Off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja which funds you reasonably ought to have formed part of the proceed of your unlawful activity to wit: theft, criminal breach of trust or corruption and you thereby committed on offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”.
Badeh pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges when they were read to him.
Jacobs, thereafter, presented the prosecution’s 21st witness, Fatai Abiodun, an officer working at the Computer Squadron, a section of the Pay and Accounting Unit headed by the Chief Accountant of the Nigerian Air Force.
The prosecution had subpoenaed the Chief Accountant, AVM B. A. Obuche, who however, instructed Abiodun to appear in Court for the Unit, with respect to the request of the prosecution as regards the salaries and emoluments of Badeh from 2011 till date.