Boggling! Witness reveals how Badeh diverted N1.7b salary surplus

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja was Wednesday regaled with how N1.7 billion meant for the payment of Nigerian Air Force personnel was allegedly diverted for personal use by a former Chief of Air Staff, Alex Badeh, on a monthly basis.

Giving evidence before the court, Salisu Abdullahi, who was director of finance at the Nigerian Air Force between October 2010 and December 2013, said that personnel salary received from the federal government was N4 billion, while the actual salaries amounted to just above N2 billion.

“Out of the balance of about N1.6 to N1.7 billion, the sum of N558 million was taken to Mr. Badeh’s personal residence at Niger Barracks after it is exchanged to dollars,” he said.

According to Abdullahi, the balance of the money was usually returned to Badeh for further directive. He also said the expenditures made from the remaining money, were usually approved by the Chief of Air Staff through the procurement and planning committee.

He further stated that Badeh mostly didn’t confirm receipt of the sum of N558 million in writing.

“The only instruction he gives in writing are those requests forwarded in writing from branches and units for approval.

“Where such approvals are given, they are forwarded to my office for necessary payments,” Mr. Abdullahi said.

Read also: Why we are proposing Preaching Bill – Kaduna govt

Speaking further, Abdullahi said that N120 million was at a point allotted for his office on a monthly basis, but he rejected the offer because he had no need for the money.

He also disclosed that the former CDS purchased several houses, which included a shopping complex for the sum of N1.1 billion under the name of Iyalikam, a company.

Continuing, Abdullahi said Badeh purchased another building he said he was going to use as his office for N650 million under the name of a certain Engineer Mustafa Yerima while he also purchased another building for his son, Alex Junior in the sum of N260 million and renovated it with N60 million. Purchase of furniture was said to have gulped another  N90 million.

Abdullahi also said a fourth building was purchased at N330 million for Mr. Badeh’s second son, Kam after one had been bought at the sum of N240 million which Kam did not like.

After the examination of the witness, the defence counsel, Samuel Zibiri, reguested the court for an adjournment to enable him prepare necessary questions for the cross examination of the witness, since some of the information in the witness evidence were not stated proof of evidence.

Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, subsequently adjourned till March 23 for the defence to cross examine the first prosecution witness.

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now