Badeh: How NAF Officer Kept Records of Laundered Funds
A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Dalhatu, on Tuesday informed Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja how monies were being disbursed from the accounts of the Nigeria Air Force, NAF, on the orders of a former Chief of Air Staff, COAS, Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (rtd).
The EFCC is prosecuting Badeh alongside Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on a 10-count charge on money laundering.
In his evidence-in-chief, Dalhatu, who is also an EFCC operative, narrated how events led to discoveries of various choice properties allegedly purchased, constructed and/or renovated for Badeh, including 6, Ogun River Street, Maitama; 14, Azdope Crescent, Off Kumasi Crescent, Wuse 2 and 8a, Temple Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Under cross-examination by Badeh’s lawyer, Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, Dalhatu told the court how investigations had revealed records of large volumes of cash disbursements from the NAF accounts, which was carefully recorded by a cashier in the NAF’s Directorate of Finance and Accounts, Squadron Leader, Emmanuel Abu.
The witness said, “We invited Air Commodore Sinni, a finance officer at NAF to shed more light on the matter. He, however, requested that we interview Squadron Leader Emma Abu, the cashier, stating that Abu had recorded all cash withdrawals and movements of funds.”
“By the time Abu arrived, we requested for his records. Analysing the records, we were able to identify consecutive payments made monthly, between January – August, 2013 in favour of Ryte Builders Nigeria Limited and Habco Construction Limited, duly captioned as part of N558.2m meant for the COAS. It was this, as well as bank records, that we used to trace payments.
“It was further revealed that, of a sum total of between N1.2billion and N1.6billion released every month for the payment of NAF officers’ salaries and stipends, N558.2million was set aside for the COAS every month. Abu converted this sum to dollar equivalent and handed it over to Sinni for onward transfer to Badeh.
From the balance, Abu was able to account for the projects executed which include the NAF Secondary School in Yola, Adamawa State; NAF conference hall in Jabi, Abuja and others in Kaduna and Makurdi, Air Force Barracks”.)
Dalhatu further disclosed that when the investigation team interviewed Engr Mustapha Yerima, Managing Director of Ryte Builders Nigeria Limited, he (Yerima) initially denied having done any contract with NAF, but later changed his tune after being confronted with evidence to the contrary.
He said, “Series of e-mails between Kabiru Salawu, Mustapha Yerima, Alex Badeh Jnr, one Architecet Saka and another US-based architect regarding the development of Badeh’s shopping mall were also discovered”.
The case has been adjourned to May 3, 2017
