Court martial convicts 6 Air Force personnel over Badeh’s killing
A military General Court Martial sitting in Abuja, has sentenced six Nigerian Air Force personnel to various jail terms for absconding from the convoy of former Chief of Defence Staff, late Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who was killed by gunmen on December 18, 2018.
The six Air Force personnel were aides to the late Badeh, detailed to protect him.
They are Squadron Leader Tom Gwani, Flight Sergeant Amu David, Flight Sergeant Philemon Degema, Flight Sergeant Sabo Simon, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdullahi and Sergeant Alfred Alexander.
A statement at the weekend, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the six air force personnel were on Friday, awarded various sentences by the general court martial that sat at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.
Commodore Daramola did not disclose the jail terms awarded to each of the convicts, but said four of the personnel were detailed to provide armed escort for the late Badeh, while the two others were detailed for guard duty at his house.
The late Badeh was standing trial at a federal high court over N3.9 billion corruption charge and he was to commence his defence after the prosecution had closed its case before his death.
He was killed in an ambush by gunmen on his way back from his farm, along Gitata-Keffi Highway in Nasarawa state.
The police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the military had after the incident, arrested14 suspects in connection with the murder, who confessed killing the ex-defence chief while on a robbery and kidnapping operation.
“The personnel were standing trial for various offences. Delivering his judgment, the President of the court martial, Air Commodore David Aluku, pronounced the six accused personnel guilty of various charges.
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“These include their failure to perform military duties by absconding from the convoy of the deceased former chief of defence staff, while it came under attack as well as conduct to the prejudice of service discipline, for giving false information.
“The charges against the accused also include other civil offences of criminal conspiracy and miscellaneous offences, relating to property, for illegally disposing of 79 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition issued for the protection of the late chief of defence staff, among others.
“While pleading in mitigation, the defence counsels urged the court to show leniency, describing the accused persons as first time offenders.
“The sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior authority,” Daramola said in the statement.
