THE embattled former Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh said yesterday he was not part of the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal.
He said he did not have control over military funds as CDS, but it was surprising that he was being accused of embezzling weapons funds.
He said in spite of the fact that billions were found in the accounts of wives of some past Air Force officers, none was found with his family.
Badeh, who broke his silence in a statement allegedly released from custody, said: “All I ask for is to be given a fair hearing with the rule of law strictly adhered to.”
He added: “It has been widely reported in the news that I am being investigated over the $2.1 billion arms deal, but that is not true. I was not part of Dasukigate.
“The claim that five properties were acquired for me from the $2.1 billion funds is also false. I was Chief of Air Staff from October 2012 to January 2014 and then appointed CDS.
“During my time serving as the CDS, funds for weapons were directly released to the Chief of Air staff, Army Staff and Naval Staff and not to me. I had no control over the funds and yet I am being accused of embezzling weapons funds.
“The office of the CDS had no operational control of the services and had nothing to do with their spending.”
He denied receiving $800,000 from my Director of Finance and Accounts or enriching his family.
He said: “The EFCC’s claim that I received $800,000 from my Director of Finance and accounts is untrue. I did not receive such money from the erstwhile DFA. If he claims to have given me money, where is the proof? Was it paid into my account? Did I sign for it?
“In the case of the properties, if they claim the properties are mine and were obtained illegally through proxies then they should go to the court and get an order of forfeiture rather than trying to insist I am the owner of the properties.
“It is unfortunate that the media has unwittingly allowed itself to be used by interested parties to become judge, jury and executioner in my case.
“Even when they claimed billions were found in accounts of wives of some past Air Force officers, none was found with my family. Yet, EFCC keeps generalising and making it look like my family is involved too.”
Badeh said the nation he fought to defend had been unfair to him.
He added: “It is rather unfortunate that the nation, which I fought so hard within my means to defend against Boko Haram insurgents, cannot guarantee my fundamental human rights.
“During my time as the CDS, lives of both soldiers and civilians were lost. Territories were lost. We fought to regain our nation’s territorial integrity and the insurgents pushed back.
“I lost my personal house and hospital in defence of my fatherland (a hospital which I built many years ago and was equally used in the treatment of injured soldiers). Now, I am losing my freedom to the same fatherland that I fought so hard to defend.
“During the 2014 Boko Haram attack on my village, Vimtim, it was widely reported in the media that I sent a helicopter to evacuate my parents and relatives. Which parents? I am an orphan; I lost my father in the 70s and my mother in 2013.
“My cousin, who lived next to me, was killed during the 2014 attack on my village. So, who exactly did I evacuate? It is unfortunate that I didn’t come out to clarify some of these issues when they were reported in the media.
“I was detained by the EFCC for three weeks and was not charged to court, but was given onerous bail conditions by the commission, which I could not meet.
“A remand warrant was hastily obtained on February 25, in Lagos as soon as the EFCC was served with a notice for my bail hearing in court by my lawyers. Why detain me for so long and issue such onerous bail conditions, when they aren’t ready to charge me to court?
“I reported to the EFCC when I was invited and would report anytime I am needed. All I ask for is to be given a fair hearing with the rule of law strictly adhered to. It is a media trial and I am being persecuted.”