Witness Reveals How Badeh diverted N650m NAF Fund to Acquire Property for Son

A prosecution witness, Aliyu Madaki, on June 20, 2017 told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja that about N650million was used by the Nigeria Air Force to acquire Plot 1386, Oda Crescent, Abuja for the construction of a Shopping Mall linked to Alex Badeh, a former Chief of Air Staff.

Badeh is standing trial along Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97billion brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Madaki, an operative of the EFCC, while being led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that investigations were carried out on a number of properties, linked to Badeh, one of which is ‘Plot 1386 Fidal Zone, Wuse, Abuja’.

“I was asked to investigate the procurement scam that was linked to the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA, and Nigeria Air Force arms procurement contracts”, he said. Madaki, who was the 18th prosecution witness, told the court that the property located at 19, Kumasi Crescent, was linked to Badeh’s son (Alex Badeh Jnr.).

According to him, Badeh Jr was invited for interrogation, during which it was discovered that the property was bought at about N260million through NAF account.

“In the course of our findings, Badeh Jr told us he was renting the house from Platium Universal Company and his rent was due to expire by December 2013.

“We verified his BVN and discovered that the company has account with Zenith Bank and GTB.

“We discovered that NAF paid N92million into the company’s Zenith Bank account and another N42million into GTB in two installments.

“We further invited the owner of the company, Kabiru Salau, who confirmed to us that, the house was not rented to Alex Badeh’s son. He added that, a friend, Salihu Yusha’u, told him that the owner of the property intended to sell it adding that, the property was negotiated and agreed at N260million, which was paid in dollar equivalent,” Madaki told the court. The witness further stated that, Badeh Jr had an agreement with Rytebuilders Technologies Limited to develop a shopping complex.

“We used the company name (Rytebuilders Technologies Limited) and its BVN to get the company’s account in Zenith and UBA, where we discovered that between N810million and N860million was paid from NAF accounts to develop the property”, said Madaki.

The PW18 further stated that, “in a bid to cover up the misdeed regarding the true owner of the property, Badeh Jr asked Salau to draw a tenancy agreement between Platinum Universal Company indicating the company as landlord and Alex Badeh jnr as tenant.”

According to him, “Badeh Jr requested for the original Certificate of Occupancy, (C of O), which was handed over to him before he took the agreement”.

Further hearing in the matter continues on June 21, 2017.