A witness
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Dalhatu, on Tuesday,
May 2, 2017 told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting 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), who is facing trial along Iyalikam
Nigeria Limited on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering.
Dalhatu, an
operative of the EFCC, under cross-examination by Badeh’s counsel, Akin
Olujimi, SAN, narrated to 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.
According
to him, “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 transferral 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, AirForce Barracks”, Dalhatu
stated.
He
further revealed 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.
“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”, Dalhatu added.
Earlier
in his evidence-in-chief, Dalhatu had 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.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 3, 2017 for further
hearing.
No comments:
Post a Comment