Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of a property situated at No. 6 Ogun River Street, off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, traced the late Air Chief Marshal, Alex Badeh, and $1 million, recovered from the property to the Federal Government.
Also ordered forfeited, are a shopping mall situated at Plot 1386, Oda Crescent, Cadastral Zone, Wuse II; a duplex located at No. 19, Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II; a duplex located at No. 14 Adzope Crescent, off Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II; a semi-detached duplex at No. 8A Embu Street by Sigma Apartments Wuse II, all in Abuja.
Until his unfortunate death on December 18, 2018, the late Badeh was being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, along with his company, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited for charges bordering on abuse of office, money laundering, and converting public funds to personal use amounting to about N3.9 billion.
They were standing trial for an amended 14-count charge, to which a “not guilty” plea was taken.
Justice Abang had at the last adjourned sitting on February 26, 2019 fixed today, March 4, 2019 for the company to open its defence.
At the resumed sitting, prosecuting counsel, O.A. Atolagbe, informed the court that based on an agreement reached between the prosecution and the defence, there was a further amended charge of 10 counts before the court and a plea bargain agreement.
“We filed a further amended charge dated March 1, which was filed on March 4, and also a plea bargain agreement with regards to provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,” he said, and asked that the new charges be read in open court.
A “guilty” plea was thereafter, entered for the second defendant, following which Atolagbe, urged to court to enter judgement based on the plea bargain agreement.
He further prayed the court to order the final forfeiture of the said properties affected in counts one to 10 of the amended charges, and that the defendant be convicted and wound up with respect to the plea bargain agreement and Section 19 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
While ruling that “all processes against the first defendant who was reported dead, are hereby terminated”, Justice Abang further ordered the forfeiture of the said properties.
“Having regards to the plea bargain agreement duly executed by the parties, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited is hereby wound up and the judgement shall be served on the Corporate Affairs Commission for execution,” the trial judge added.