Alex Badeh

Ayorinde Oluokun

The planned arraignment of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh on 10-counts charge of criminal breach of trust and corruption by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday morning was stalled due to the absence of the judge.

It was gathered that Justice Okon Abang, who was to preside over the case was in Lagos.
The Judge who was transferred from Lagos to Abuja recently regularly goes back to his former court to preside over some of the cases he was handling before the transfer.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told reporters that Badeh may be arraigned anytime between Friday and Monday.

A clerk at the court informed this publication that the ex Chief of Defence Staff may likely be arraigned before the court next Monday and that the right date was communicated to EFCC earlier.

The EFCC had, in the 10 count charge, accused Badeh of using funds meant for purchase of landed properties for the Nigeria Air Force in Abuja unlawfully.

He was also accused, alongside others, of using the dollar equivalent of N650 million to purchase a commercial plot at Wuse Zone 11 area of Abuja.

In the same vein, the former CDS was also alleged to have taken N304 million from the accounts of the NAF and paid it to Bytebuilders for the completion of a shopping mall.

Also, EFCC alleged that Badeh also took dollar equivalent of N260 million from the accounts of the Air Force which he subsequently paid to the account of one Oluwatoyin Oke who used it to buy a duplex for his son in Wuse 11, Abuja.

He is also being investigated for receiving $800,000 from his finance director during his tenure as the defence chief.

The former CDS who is currently under detention of EFCC had however denied the accusations.

In a statement issued on his behalf yesterday, Badeh denied the ownership of some of the properties linked to him and alleged that he was being persecuted by government.