Stunning
revelations were made by a witness in the ongoing trial of the former Chief of
Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, who is facing a multiple count charge over the
diversion of Nigerian Air Force cash to the tune of N1.4billion. Giving an
insight into what transpired, a prosecution witness and the, Joseph Okpetu,
said that Badeh paid his company, Havco Nigeria Limited the sum of N100 million
to build churches, a mosque and a civic centre in Badeh’s village in Adamawa
State.
Okpetu who
continued his evidence as PW13 while being led in evidence by counsel to the
EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, said, “I constructed a village house for the first
defendant, Alex Badeh, between 2008 and 2012. The fixings, features and
painting were done in 2012. We also built a mosque opposite the house. “After
the construction of the house, a thanksgiving service was held. We (Havco)
renovated the church where the thanksgiving took place. My company was also
given the responsibility to provide tables and chairs for the thanksgiving.”
According to him, between N5million to N8million was spent on renovation of the
church used for the thanksgiving.
“Apart from
the village house, we built a mosque, two churches and a civic centre for
skills acquisition in Bintin Village. All these cost N100million. I was paid in
three installments of N40million, N30million and N30million.” Okpetu further
narrated how his firm received N14million for building a house for the
officer-in-charge of the Joint Armed Forces in Mubi, Adamawa State. He also
told the court that he imported materials, plants and equipment for Badeh’s
Kantiye Farm in Nassarawa State. Answering questions on his connection to
Badeh’s company, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, Okpetu said: “I do not know
Iyalikam, but I was paid from Iyalikam Nigeria Limited the sum of N30million in
2015”. When asked about the structure of his company, Dilplast Nigeria Limited,
the witness responded: “Before 2015, the share structure of my company,
Dilplast Nigeria Limited, was four million shares to me, three million shares
to Alex Badeh (Jnr) and three million shares to Kamtufa Badeh. Now, I own six
million shares, while Kamtufa Badeh owns three million and Victoria Okpetu and
Architect Dan Williams own 500,000 shares each. Kamtufa, who according to
Okpetu is Badeh’s son, contributed a house given to him by his father to
Dilplast.
However, in
a dramatic turn under cross-examination and given the witness’ previous
performance in the stand on Tuesday, Okpetu’s testimony took yet another
direction. Responding to questions from Akin Olujimi, SAN, the PW13 said that
he was not stable psychologically when he made his statement at the EFCC, a
response which made Jacobs jump to his feet. Jacob exclaimed and pointing to
the defence, he said “I know that the witness is your own!” At this point, the
matter was adjourned to January 25 and 26, 2017 for continuation of trial.
Badeh is being prosecuted by the EFCC before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal
High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
He is
standing trial alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on a 10-count charge
bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the
tune of N3.97billion. He allegedly abused his office as CDS by using the dollar
equivalent of the sum of N1.4billion removed from the accounts of the Nigerian
Air Force to purchase properties in choice areas of Abuja between January and
December, 2013. The offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money
Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section
15(3) of the same Act
Source: vanguardngr.com
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