A Federal High Court in Abuja heard yesterday that former Chief of General Staff, Alex Badeh bought choice houses in Abuja for his three sons at about N970 million.
This was contained in the testimony of a retired Air Commodore, Aliyu Yishau, who was the Director of Finance and Account of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) while Badeh was the Chief of Air Staff (between September 2012 and December 2013).
Yishau, who concluded his evidence yesterday as the first prosecution witness in the trial of Badeh and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, said he assisted Badeh to buy “a semi-detached bungalow” for one of his sons at No.8A Embu street, by Sigma Apartments, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The witness had earlier told the court that Badeh bought a house at 19 Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II for his first son, Alex Badeh (Jnr) at N260 million, with N60 million spent to renovate it, while N90 million was expended in furnishing the property.
While testifying on April 27, the witness also said Badeh bought another N320 million house in Abuja for his last son, 28-year-old Kam.
“In my statement to the EFCC, I said the first defendant has two property in Wuse 2 that cost N260m and N320m. The house that cost N320m is adjacent to No 19 Kumasi Crescent, which was purchased from Honourable Bature. That was the one purchased for his last son, Kam. I cannot remember the address, but I can identify it,” Yishau said.
Badeh and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited were arraigned on March 7 on a 10-count charge of breach of trust and corruption for allegedly diverting about N3.97 billion from NAF’s account.
Yesterday, Yishau, who was cross-examined by Badeh’s lawyer, Akin Olujinmi (SAN) insisted that he paid for the property on behalf of the first defendant, who was his boss.
Olujinmi concluded his cross-examination of the witness yesterday and Justice Okon Abang adjourned till today for continuation of trial.
