The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Badeh

  • Fish out killers of Badeh, NANS tells security agencies

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Wednesday condemned the killing of the immediate past Air Chief Marshal, Alex Badeh, retired Chief of Defence Staff.

    The former Chief of Defence Staff, Badeh, a four-star General of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was shot dead on Tuesday along Abuja-Keffi Road.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed Badeh’s assassination in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said that that the former defence chief died from gunshot injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked on Abuja-Keffi Road while returning from his farm.

    NANS’ National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, in a statement in Enugu, urged security agents to ensure that the perpetrators of “this evil are brought to book without delay.“

    “The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to the gruesome assassination of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, a retired four-star flag officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    Read Also: Gunmen kill ex-Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh

    “NANS, in all totality, condemns the killing and considers this as very unfortunate, disheartening and one that has no doubt once again portrays our beloved country in a negative way and manner in the committee of nations.

    “If a former Chief of Defence Staff can be assassinated in such a manner in a democratic rule, what then is the fate of common defenceless Nigerians?

    “NANS is calling on security agents across the country to step up security measures as the Yuletide draws nearer, and specifically ahead of the 2019 General Elections,’’ he said.

    He said the association was not unaware of the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in the country even though it was being frustrated by some political gladiators.

    “On this sad note, NANS is bidding the former Chief of Defence Staff farewell.

    “May God grant the Badeh family, government of Adamawa and the Nigerian Air Force the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, we pray that his gentle and rugged soul rest in peace, Amen.’’

    NAN recalls that the late retired four-star General and flag officer of the Nigerian Air Force was the 18th Chief of Air Staff from Oct. 4, 2012 to Jan. 16, 2014; and the 15th Chief of Defence Staff from Jan. 16, 2014 to July 13, 2015.

  • CORRUPTION TRAVEL BAN: Dasuki, Badeh, Daniel, Amosu, Yuguda, 45 others top travel ban list

    •Why presidency took action – top source
    •PDP, ex-Minister Fani-Kayode kick, fault ban

    A former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), 13 former governors and       seven ex- ministers have been barred from travelling out of the country under Executive Order 6 (EO6) issued yesterday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The restriction followed the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6).

    The watch-list and restriction were put in place pending the conclusion of the cases against those affected.

    Also on the watch list seen last night by The Nation are: ex-governors Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); and Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina).

    The ex-ministers are Nenadi Usman, Bashir Yuguda, Jumoke Akinjide; Bala Mohammed; Abba Moro; Femi Fani-Kayode; and Ahmadu Fintiri.

    Others include a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; ex- Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A. D. Jibrin; a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar; a former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero; and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chairman Emeritus of AIT/ Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Waripamowei  Dudafa (a former  Special Assistant (Domestic) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan); a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike; a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia;

    Also on the list are a former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh; Chief Jide Omokore; Ricky Tarfa; and Dele Belgore (SAN).

    Most of the affected persons are currently facing trial for alleged corrupt practices in different courts.

    The list was generated from cases and proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police, and 17 other agencies.

    The document indicated that many of those affected had earlier been placed on similar legal restrictions by the courts and security agencies including restriction of movement, seizure of passport, temporary forfeiture of assets, freezing of accounts and others.

    Explaining the government’s action in a statement yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu said:  “Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.

    “To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.

    “Also, the financial transactions of these persons of interest are being monitored by the relevant agencies to ensure that the assets are not dissipated and such persons do not interfere with, nor howsoever corrupt the investigation and litigation processes.

    “It is instructive to note that EO6 was specifically directed to relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of N50 million or equivalent, subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption-related matter.

    “The Buhari administration reassures all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians of its commitment to the fight against corruption, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the general principles of the Rule of Law.

    “Accordingly, this administration will uphold the rule of law in all its actions and the right of citizens would be protected as guaranteed by the Constitution.

    “We, therefore, enjoin all Nigerians to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities towards ensuring a successful implementation of the Executive Order 6 which is a paradigm-changing policy of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.”

    A top government official, who spoke in confidence, said there is no cause for alarm on E06.

    The source said: “The ban is not different from the conditions given by the court in granting these accused persons bail. The E06 is like a codification of steps to prevent those on trial for alleged corrupt practices from tampering with assets.

    “Some of these accused persons used to go to court for permission before they can travel out of the country. The E06 is not a new thing but instead of all agencies working at cross-purposes, a list was generated and backed with the Executive Order.

    “Some of those on trial, especially the Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) had been selling their assets. What will they return after being convicted?”

    PDP rejects travel ban, says it’s prelude to full-blown fascism

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the travel ban outright, dismissing it as an attempt by the Buhari administration to foist full-blown fascism on the country.

    Spokesman for  the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the travel restriction was illegal, draconian and targeted at members of opposition parties, perceived political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari, well-meaning Nigerians, including members of the business community, religious leaders, former political leaders and traditional rulers, who are perceived to be averse to the President’s re-election bid.

    He said: “We hope this is not a ploy to harm certain eminent Nigerians on the claims of resisting travel restrictions.

    “The whole world can now see how fascism is fast taking over our democracy and judicial system and how the Buhari administration, by fiat, has directly ordered that citizens be secretly trailed, their movements and financial transactions restricted by government agencies, without recourse to due process of the law.

    “While the PDP notes that the Buhari Presidency has gone into panic mode since the popular emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential candidate and the spontaneous jubilation his emergence has evoked across the country, the party maintains that the resort to total clamp down on the opposition and our supporters will be totally unacceptable.

    “What this means is that all Nigerians, particularly, opposition members, members of the business community and religious leaders, have become endangered and stand the risk of state violence under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    “The PDP therefore alerts the international community to hold the Buhari Presidency responsible should any harm befall any opposition leader, key members of the business community and religious leaders across the country as we march towards the 2019 general elections.”

    The PDP maintained that no amount of intimidation, harassment and foisting of fascism will deter Nigerians from their determination to rally on its platform to oust the APC from power next year.

    Fani-Kayode too

    One of the affected persons, Femi Fani-Kayode, described the ban as “utterly shameful and condemnable”.

    He alleged that the ban was targeted at members of the opposition.

    The ex-Minister of Aviation said: “The banning of 50 prominent Nigerians who are all members of the opposition from travelling out of the country by Buhari’s Executive Order and the power to confiscate their assets even though they have not been empowered to do so by a court of law or convicted of any offence is utterly shameful and condemnable.

    “It is nothing less than a descent into fascism and a violation of the fundamental human rights and civil liberties of the individuals that have been directly affected and the Nigerian people.

    “It is also a usurpation of the role of the Judiciary. Buhari is so desperate to remain in power that he has now resorted to attempting to muscle and intimidate the opposition. He forgets that he is not God and that he will soon leave power.

    “I condemn his lawless and desperate ways in the strongest terms. Only dictators behave in this way and Buhari has proved to be the most brutal and callous of them all in the history of our nation. I challenge him to do his worse and enjoy the short time that he has left in office. Sadists never last. Soon it will all be over and he will account for his evil ways and brought to justice.”

    List of affected persons

    S/N/   CASE NO/CHARGE NUMBER &  COURT OF TRIAL

    PARTIES

    NPF

    1          FHC/ABJ/CR/48/2017                               FRN VS GABRIEL SUSWAM &

    2 ORS

    2          FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2017                            FRN VS SOLOMON WOMBO &

    2 ORS

    3          FHC/MKD/CR/72/2017                             FRN VS ORAYEV

    AUGUSTINE AVAAN & 8 ORS

    4          FCT/ABJ/CR/129/2017                             IGP VS RICHARD GBANDE & 2 ORS

    5          FCT/ABJ/CR/128/2017                             IGP VS RICHARD GBANDE & ORS

    6          FHC/L/18C/2015                                        IGP VS MOSHOOD JUBRIL

    1. FHC/CA/3C/2018-FHC,

    CALABAR                                                    FRN VS PETER AGI & 1 OTHER

    8          FHC/L472C/2015                                       IGP VS OWOLABI OLUKUNLE &

    11 ORS

    9          FHC/L/376C/2015                                      IGP VIS BAKARE JELILI

    10       FHC/L/523C/2015                                      IGP VIS ADESA JIMOH & 2 ORS

    11       FHC/L317C/2015                                       IGP VS KAYODE MORUF & ORS

    12       FHC/L/286C/2015                                      IGP VS JAMIU AJANI & 2 ORS

    13       FHC/L144C/2016                                       IGP VS GANIYU SULAIMAN

    14       FHC/L/139C/2016                                      IGP VS SHOLOLA OMOLARA &

    2 ORS

    15       FHC/L/394C/2016                                      FRN VS BILLIAMINU ABDULLAHI &                                                               ORS

    16       FHC/L/456C/2016                                      IGP VS TUMBIRI EZEKIEL & 11 ORS

    17       FHC/ABJ/CR/117/2017                            FRN VS ILIYA JAMES & ORS

    18       FHC/ABJ/CR/89/2017                               FRN VS AYINDE THOMAS

    19       FHC/ABJ/CR/182/2017                            FRN VS CHIMA MIKE & ORS

    20       FHC/ABJ/CR/94/2017                               FRN VS LUCKY UDOBI & ORS

    21       FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2017                               FRN VS ISMAIL OGALA & 2 ORS

    22       FHC/ABJ/CR/41/2018                               FRN VS RITA ISAAC & 2 ORS

    23       FHC/ABJ/CR/41/2018                               FRN VS ALIYU UMAR & 3 ORS

    24       HIGH COURT OF

    LAGOS 16 & 24                                         STATE VS CHUKWUDUMEME

    ONWUAMADIKE “EVANS & 2 ORS’’

    25       CR/265/C/2017                                           HENRY CHIBUEZE

    AKA “VAMPIRE” & 5 ORS

    26       CR/90/2017                                                 STATE VS HON. NASIRU

    UMAR RONI & 5 ORS

    27       CMC/TUM/98CR/2017                              STATE VS SHANONO

    ALH. AHMED & OTHER

    28       I/75C 2016 HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS MUHAMMED

    WELI & 1 OTHER

    29       I/137C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 16 IBADAN                                  C. O. P. VS ABDULLAHI

    GARUBA & 3 ORS

    30       I/211C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 18 IBADAN                                  C. O. P. VS DAHIRU

    MOHAMMED

    31       I/172C/2017 -HIGH

    COURT 17 IBADAN                                 C. O. P. VS JOSEPH

    UDOMA & 3 ORS

    32       I/184C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 19 IBADAN                                 C. O. P. OWOYOMI OKE & 1 OTHER

    33       I/49C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS KABIRU ALI & 2 ORS

    34       I/69C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 4, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS TUNED IBRAHIM &

    2 ORS

    35       I/132C/2017 -HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS TUNED IBRAHIM &

    3 ORS

    36       MOG/03C/2017                                          C. O. P. VS MUTAIRU

    MOHAMMED & 2 ORS

    37       HOY/11C/2016                                           C. O. P. VS SEGUN OMOLADUN

    38       MI/31C/2016                                                C. O. P. VS MUSA SALEH & 4 ORS

    39       CR: 32/2016/MOG10C/2016                  STATE VS JAMIL UMAR & 6 ORS

    40       CR: 34/2016/MOG12C/2016                  STATE VS SUNDAY EDOREN & 3                                                                 ORS

    41       CR: 42/2016/MOG/11C/2016                 STATE VS GOODLUCK OGHENE

    & 4 ORS

    42       CR: 49/2016/MCI/12C/2016                    STATE VS OYIBO SHELL & 2 ORS

    43       STATE VS EFE REUBEN

    44       CR: 78/2016/MOG/44C/2016                 STATE VS GODSTIME

    EKWEREME & 2 ORS

    45       CR: 78/2016/MK/16C/2016                     STATE VS SMART

    ONOLOGBE & 1 OTHER

    46       CR: 81/2016/CMA/259C/2016               STATE VS REUBENOJOGWU & 2                                                                 ORS

    47       MAB/1064C/2017                                      C. O. P. CHINOYEN AGU & ORS

    48       KTX/06/2018-HIGH

    COURT KATSINA                                      C. O. P. VS IBRAHIM

    MU’AZU & 1 OTHER

    NAPTIP

    49       FHC/L/48C/2018-FEDERAL

    HIGH COURT LAGOS JUDICIAL

    DIVISION                                                      NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE VS

    PROSSY NIGERIA LTD. & 6 ORS

    50       FHC/L/185C/2017 -FEDERAL

    HIGH COURT LAGOS JUDICIAL          DIVISION FEDERAL

    REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA VS

    HIZEC MARINE SERVICES LTD &

    4 ORS

    51       FHC/CA/CS/40/2017CALABAR

    JUDICIAL DIVISION                                  MAGGPIY TRADING TFZE VS NIGERIA

    CUSTOMS SERVICE BOARD &

    2 ORS

    ICPC

    52       HU/4C/2017- ABIA STATE

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. DR. PHILIPS NTO & 2 ORS

    53       FCT/HC/CR/92/12-

    COURT 10, APO  FCT                              FRN V. SUNDAY EHINDERO &

    JOHN OBANIYI

    54       ID/412C/13-COURT

    1, AWKA ANAMBRA STATE                 FRN V. EZEONWUKA INNOCENT

    55       KWS/56C/2016-KWARA STATE

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. DR. SA AD AYINLA

    ALANAMU & 2 ORS

    56       FHC/ABJ/CR/169/13-FED

    HIGH COURT 7, ABUJA                          FRN V. PROF. (SENATOR)

    DAVID IORNEM, & 2 ORS.

    57       FHC/EN/CR/72/15-FED.

    HIGH COURT 2, ENUGU                         FRN V. (1). PROF. E. ONYENEJE (2).

    1. LEONARD UGWU,

    (3). ELDER FREDRICK

    ONAH, (4). MR. BASIL OFFOR

    58       HU/38C/2016                                              FRN V. (1). COSMOS NDUKWE,

    (2). CONK PRODUCTION NIG. LTD.

    (3). CHIJIOKE OKONKWO

    59       HU/90C/2017-HIGH COURT

    4, UYO, AKWAIBOM                                FRN VS  EPHRAIM SUNDAY AKPAN

    60       PHC/888CR/2013-RIVERS

    STATE HIGH COURT

    4, SITTING IN

    PORTHARCOURT                                    FRN VS. ASO ADASA

    MORRISSON AND ORS.

    61       FCT/HC/CR/112/1-                                     FRN V. JOE EJE OKHIKU

    (FORMER ACTING

    DIRECTOR, NEWS AGENCY OF                                                                     NIGERIA)

    62       HCL/63C/2017-HIGH COURT

    OKENE KOGI STATE                              FRN V. ZACCAEUS ATTE

    63       MHC/73/2016- HIGH COURT

    MAKURDI, BENUE STATE                     FRN V. DONALD ANAGERIDE &                                                                     ANOR.

    64       K/ICPC02/2016                                          FRN V. RABIU T. WADA

    65       FHC/ABJ/CR/288/2015-

    FEDERAL HIGH COURT

    ABUJA                                                          FRN V. YEMI ARIS OLANIRE

    66       CR/136/2017- FCT

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. IBRAHIM HASSAN

    67       FHC/A1/59C/2013                                     FRN V. HENRY ALOR AND ANOR

    68       FCT/HC/CR/2014                                       FRN V. YUSUF AGABI & 3 ORS.

    69       KB/HC/27C/2017                                       FRN V (1) ALH. GARBA KAMBA

    (2) MOHAMMED TUNGA

    (3) ALH SAIDU DAKINGARI

    70       FCT/HC/CR/2003-FCT

    HIGH COURT 9                                         FRN V. MOHAMMED  ALI BALOGUN

    71       ZMS/GS/53C/2015                                    FRN V. SANI AHMED YERIMA &

    3 ORS.

    72       HU/36C/2015                                              FRN V. EZE BOB UBIARU

    73       CR/78/2014-COURT

    4, MAITAMA,FCT                                       FRN V.  VS. AMINU BELLO                                                                                SULEIMAN

    74       CR/136/15-FCT HIGH

    COURT, MAITAMA, COURT 4               FRN VS. ADEOLU ADEYANJU

    75       CR/276/2016-COURT 19, APO             FRN VS. MAJOR SAM

    76       HC/11C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 2, CALABAR                               FRN VS MICHAEL OKPO & 1 OTHER

    77       HC/65C/2016-CROSS

    RIVER STATE                                            FRN VS. DR. ITAM ABANG

    78       CR/287/2017 &

    CR/37/2018-FCT HIGH COURT

    NO 16 JABI & FEDERAL HIGH

    COURT NO. 10                                           FRN VS. ALIYU SANDA MAIMUNA

    79       PLD/J10C/2017-PLATEAU

    STATE HIGH COURT 5, JOS                 FRN VS. ISTIFANUS MWANSAT & 7 ORS

    80       CR/92/2018-COURT 37, ZUBA              FRN VS. DR. OBARO & 2 ORS

    EFCC

    81       FHC/ABJ/CR/181/2016                            FRN V AHMADU UMAR (ALIAS RT.

    HON. AMADU FINTIRI)

    82       FHC/ABJ/CR/148/2016                            FRN V EDIDIONG & ORS

    83       FHC/L/280C/16                                           FRN V. AIR MARSHAL AMOSU

    NUNAYO & 10 ORS

    84       FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2016                            FRN V OLAJIDE OMOKORE & 5 ORS.

    85       FHC/L/135C/2017                                      FRN VS. MUHAMMED

    DELE BELGOE SAN & ORS

    86       LD/2514C/16                                               FRN V. RICKY TARFA (SAN)

    87       LD/3671C/2016                                          FRN V HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI

    OFILI AJUMOGOBIA & ANOR

    88       FHC/IB/26C/2017                                       FRN VS OLOYE JUMOKE AKINJIDE & 2 ORS

    89       FHC/L/251C/16                                           FRN V NENADI ESTHER USMAN,

    FEMI FANI KAYODE & 2 ORS

    90       FHC/L/106C/2017                                      FRN V CHRISTIAN NWOSU AND ORS

    91       FHC/L/337C/16                                           FRN V WARIP AMOWEI

    EMMANUEL DUDAFA & ORS

    92       FHC/L/238C/2016                                      FRN V WARIP AMOWEI

    EMMANUEL DUDAFA & ANOR.

    93       FHC/L/31C/2016                                        FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 11 ORS

    94       FHC/L/553C/2016                                      FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 11 ORS

    95       FHC/511C/2016                                         FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 6 ORS

    96       LD/217C/15                                                 FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM,

    MAJOR GENERAL EMMANUEL

    ATEWE & ORS

    97       LD/218C/15                                                 FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 6 ORS

    98       FHC/L/149/16                                              BABA JARUNA JAURO & 2 ORS

    99       FHC/L/148C/16                                           FRN V CALISTUS & 3 ORS

    100     FHC/GM/33C/2011                                    FRN V ALHAJI DANJUMA GOJE & 4 ORS

    101     HOS/34C/2017                                           FRN V PROFESSOR ANTHONY

    ELUJOBA, JOSEPHINE ADERONKE AKEREDOLU

    102     I/5EFCC/2011                                             FRB V OTUNBA ALAO-AKALA & ORS

    103     AK/4C/2017                                                 FRN V ADEBIYI G. DARAMOLA,

    EMMANUEL AYODEJI ORESEGUN

    104     AB/EFCC/03C/2016                                  FRN V SENATOR ADESEYE OGUNLEWE,

    PROF. OLUSOLA OYEOLE, MOSES

    OLUSOLA ILESANMI

    105     NSHC/EFCC/2C/2017                              FRN V DR. MAUZU BABANGIDA ALIYU ORS

    106     FHC/ABJ/CR/71/2017                               FRN V DR MUAZU BABANGIDA & ANOR

    107     FHC/ABJ/CR/43/2017                               FRN V ANDREW YAKUBU

    108     FHC/ABJ/CR/329/2015                            FRN V SULE LAMIDO & ORS.

    109     AB/EFCC/02/11                                          FRN V GBENGA DANIEL

    110     SS/33C/2009                                              FRN V ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA & ORS.

    111     FHC/ABJ/CR/297/2015                            FRN V STEPHEN ORONSANYE & ORS.

    112     FHC/ABJ/CR/82/2013                               FRN V DR. SANI TEIDI SHAIBU & ORS.

    113     FHC/09C/2007                                            FRN V CHIMAROKE NNAMANI & ORS.

    114     FHC/L/336C/08                                           FRN V RASHEED LADOJA

    115     FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2015                            FRN V BELLO ABBA MOHAMMED & ORS

    116     FHC/ABJ/CR/46/2016                               FRN V AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ALEX S.

    BADEH & IYALIKAM NIGERIA LTD

    117     FHC/ABJ/CR/362/2015                            FRN V GABRIEL SUSWAM & ANOR

    118     FHC/ABJ/CR/380/2015                            FRN V DR. RAYMOND DOKPESI & ANOR

    119     FCT/CR/42/2015                                        FRN V BASHIR YUGUDA & 5 ORS.

    120     FCT/CR/43/2015                                        FRN V COL. MOHAMMED

    SAMBO DASUKI & 4 ORS.

    123     EHC/74C/2017                                           FRN V INNOCENT AZUBIKE UMEZULIKE

    124     FHC/ABJ/CR/56/07                                    FRN V ORJI UZOR KALU & ORS.

    125     FHC/ABJ/CR/86/07                                    FRN V SAMINU TURAKI & ORS.

    126     FCT/CR/64/2012                                        FRN V ESAI DANGABAR & 7 ORS.

    127     FHC/LF/CR/34/2011                                  FRN V ALIYU AKWE DOMA & 2 ORS.

    128     FHC/ABJ/CR/293/2015                            FRN V MURTALA NYAKO & ORS.

    129     FHC/ABJ/CR/05/16                                    FRN V OLISA METUH & ANOR.

    130     FCT/HC/20/16                                             FRN V AIR VICE MARSHAL

    OLUTAYO OGUNTOYIBO

    131     FHC/ABJ/CR/92/2016                               FRN V AIR VICE MARSHAL

    MOHAMMED DIKKO UMAR

    132     CR/182/2016                                               FRN V AVM. ALKALI MOHAMMED MAMU

    133     FHC/ABJ/CR/113/2016                            FRN V ROBERT AZIBOLA & 2 ORS.

    134     FCT/CR/177/2017                                      FRN V SENATOR BALA MOHAMMED

    135     FHC/ABJ/CR/141/16                                 FRN V EMEKA MBA & ORS

    136     KTH/34C/2016                                            FRN V IBRAHIM SHEHU SHEMA & 3 ORS.

    137     FHC/ABJ/CR/186/2016                            FRN V AVM MARSHAL

    TONY OMENYI AND ANOR

    138     FHC/ABJ/CR/42/2016                               FRN V ABBA MORO & ORS

    139     FHC/ABJ/CR/224/2016                            FRN V ASHINZE & 8 ORS.

    140     CR/210/16                                                    FRN V VICE AD. JIBRIN & 3 ORS.

    141     FHC/ABJ/CR/142/16                                 FRN V OLUGBENGA OBADINA AND ANOR.

     

    NDLEA

    142     FCH/L65/18                                                 FRN V IGAN EGHEOSA

    143     FHC/244C/12                                              FRN V. ADEGBOYEGA AYOBAMI ADENIJI

    144     FHC/AWK/37C/2015 FHC/

    AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE                     FRN V IKEJIAKU SYLVESTER

    CHUKWUNWENDU & 3 ORS

    145     FHC/EN/CR/53/2015ENUGU,

    ENUGU STATE                                          FRN V EDDIE IFEANYICHUKWU

    DAYSON & 3 ORS

    146     FHC/AK/56C/2015-FHC AKURE,

    ONDO STATE                                            FRN V AUGUSTINE FRIDAY

    USIFO & ANOR

    147     FHC/L/519C/2015-FHC LAGOS            FRN V UBA HARRIS ALAEKWE & 13 ORS

    148     FHC/ASB/21C/2016                                  FHC V ANTHONY CHUKWUEMEKA

    UMOLU & 8 ORS (INCLUDING

    FOUR MEXICANS)

    149     FHC/L/232C/2016-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V JOHN VINCENT ARINZE

    150     FHC/AK/CS/60C/2017-FHC,

    AKURE, ONDO STATE                           EXPARTE APPLICATION

    (SUSPECT AT LARGE SINCE JAN. 2016)

    151     FHC/AK/34C/2017-FHC, AKURE,

    ONDO STATE                                            FRN V ESUABOM JOHNSON &

    ERIC AKINYIMIKA

    152     FHC/L/311C/2017-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V MUONEKE JOHNPAUL IFEANYI & 3 ORS

    153                                                                             FRN V OGBEGBU GOODLUCK & ORS

    154     FHC/L/483C/2017-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V EZE REMUGUS

    RAPURUCHUKWU & 4 ORS

    155                 FCH/L/235C/17                   FRN V ONOWU CHUKWUKA ISAAC

     

  • Court grants ex-CDS Badeh permission to travel abroad

    THE Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday granted permission to former Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Alex Badeh (retd) to travel abroad to visit his family and friends.

    The judge, Justice Okon Abang, granted Badeh permission following an application by his counsel, Mr. Akin Olujimi (SAN).

    As a result of some reservations by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, (SAN), Abang ordered that one of Badeh’s sureties must sign an undertaking that he would return to face his trial.

    He also said the surety must deposit his international passport with the court pending the return of Badeh to continue with his trial.

    Jacobs had said although he was not opposed to Badeh’s application to travel, he was concerned that no reason was given as to whether he was travelling for medical reasons or holiday.

    Justice Abang adjourned the matter until Oct. 22 to Oct.26 for continuation of trial.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Badeh was earlier re-arraigned on a 14-count charge bordering on fraud, to which he entered a “not guilty” plea to the counts.

    The former defence chief is standing trial for allegedly abusing his office by diverting N3.97 billion.

    The diverted money is said to have been meant for arms purchase in the face of worsening destructions by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The judge adjourned the case of former PDP Spokesman, Olisa Metuh until July 6 for continuation of trial.

  • How $702,000 was paid into Badeh’s account, by witness

    How $702,000 was paid into Badeh’s account, by witness

    Fatima Daudu, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Air Marshal Alex Badeh, yesterday explained to a Federal High Court, Abuja how $702,000 was paid into the accused’s account in eight installments.

    Badeh is standing trial alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, for allegedly abusing his office as Chief of Defence Staff 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 prosecution said 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.

    Mrs. Daudu, who has been a relationship manager at First Bank since 2011 with a defined function of marketing people, converting them to customers and managing the relationship, told Justice Okong Abang how she opened a “Visa Gold Account” for Badeh.

    “The account is a card account and domiciliary account, which cannot be operated over the counter,” the witness said.

    She explained how a deposit of $50,000 was made in two instalments by Badeh’s officers, which was later cross-checked by the witness.

    “I filled the teller and wrote my name on it as evidenced,” she added.

    The witness added that Badeh sent money through his officers to the bank.

    “They gave the money to me as the relationship officer and so we got to the counter and cross-checked the money,” she added.

    The prosecution counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolagbe, sought the indulgence of the court to permit a detailed explanation on some of the exhibits by the witness.

    The witness recognised Exhibit F1, dated March 15, 2016, as a document addressed to the Head of Operations, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with the account name: “Badeh Alex Sabundu”.

    Mrs. Daudu explained how the money was paid into the “Visa Gold Account” between June 13, 2013 to October 24,2013.

    She said: “On June 13, 2013, a cash deposit of $10,000 was made by a third party, who is the witness and on June 21, 2013,a cash deposit of $100,000 was made by a third party, who is a witness.

    “On June 27, 2013,a cash deposit of $100,000 was made by the same witness.

    “While on July 23, 2013, a cash deposit of about $50,000 was deposited by witness.

    “On August 2, 2013, cash deposit of $100,000 was made by Raphael.

    “On October 17, 2013, $142,000 was deposited by witness

    “On October 18, 2013, the sum of $100,000 was deposited by Mrs. Daudu.”

    On October 23, 2013, the sum of $100,000 was deposited by the witness herself.

    Justice Abang adjourned till Thursday November 17 for the continuation of evidence as the prosecution counsel demanded for more time to get documents, which would also serve as more evidence

  • How Badeh used N260m to acquire property for his son, by witness

    How Badeh used N260m to acquire property for his son, by witness

    A prosecution witness in the trial of former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh yesterday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, how Badeh acquired property for his son,Alex Badeh Jnr.

      The witness, Kabiru Salau, a contractor, spoke yesterday while testifying at the court in the trial of Badeh and a company, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, for allegedly diverting about N1.4 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 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.

    The fifth prosecution witness said retired Air Commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushau (ex-NAF Account director, who testified  as the first prosecution witness) told him to look for a house for Badeh’s son.

    “After three days, I called Yushau and told him of a house at No. 19 Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II, and that the price of the house is about N300 million.

    “Yushau at that time was in Abuja and so when he heard of the amount, he said it’s on the high side and so I said I will call Alhaji Abba, who is an agent to tell him and I called Yushau to tell him that the last price for the house is N260 million.

    “Yushau told me OK and told me that we should go and inspect the house and meet him at his house at Wuse II behind Sigma apartment and we drove down to the house.After getting to the house we started inspecting the house, so we left after I dropped Yushau.

    “Yushau, after three weeks called me and gave me half of the money in dollars ($586). So after I collected the money I took it to Alhaji Abba, after one month,Yushau called me to tell me that he wanted to travel abroad for medical check-up in Dubai and gave me the remaining balance and I carried the money to Alhaji Abba.

    “Alhaji Abba now asked me what name they are to use for agreement. I told him that I don’t know and that I will call Yushau. I called him to ask him what name to use and he told me that he doesn’t have company and I told him that let us do the agreement in my company’s name.(Platinum Universal Project and Company).”

    The witness further told the court that it was Abba, who wrote the agreement, deeds of assignment and power of attorney.

    “We finished the agreement and he signed and handed over the original documents to me.

    “Yushau sent Alex Jnr’s number to me and I called him and handed over the documents to him. After two months, Yushau came back from Dubai.”

    When he was asked by prosecution counsel Mr Adebisi Adeniyi why he handed over the documents to Badeh Jnr, the witness said it was Yushau who instructed him to do so.

    According to the witness, he said: “I met him at home after his trip and I told him the owner of the house have packed out from the house and he said OK and told Yushau that he wanted to do renovation of the house.

    “Yushau now told me to put design and quotations and I carried it all to Yushau.We agreed N60 million and gave me $100,000 cash. After some months, he added another $200,000.

    “After conclusion of the job, Alex Jnr now gave me a company’s number which I called and they came over to Abuja, so I showed them the house and gave me the quotations of about N92 million and I called Alex Jnr and told him the quotation, and he told me to take the quotation to Yushau.

    “Yushau called me later in the evening, asking me which account to be used so that they will send the money. I sent my account number to Yushau.

    “The next day I received alert and I called Yushau and told him it came from Lab maintenance and he said OK that’s the money for the function.

    “I called the company and transferred N80 million to him, so the remaining balance was used to buy air condition, tiles, electric and toilet fittings and after we finished the works I handed over the house to Alex Jnr.

    “After some months, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission came and Alex Jnr called me on a Friday and told me that he is renting the house, he told me EFCC wants to see the original documents and the landlord. He gave me the original document on a Saturday.

    “I went to the EFCC on a Monday, by the time I reached there, they asked me if this house belonged to me and I told them no”

    Again when he was asked to tell the court why he drew the agreement with his company’s name, he said he was the one who brought the tenant and so the money was paid into his account.

    The matter was adjourned to July 4 for further cross examination of the witness.

  • ‘Badeh’s agent asked me to buy property in my company’s name’

    ‘Badeh’s agent asked me to buy property in my company’s name’

    An EFCC witness Mustapha Yarima in the ongoing trial of Former Chief of defence staff Alex Badeh yesterday told the Federal High Court,Abuja that the former Director of Finance and account of the Nigerian Air force Air Commodore Abdullahi Yushau(rtd) instructed him to buy Abuja property in his company’s name(Right Builders).

    Yarima who spoke during cross examination on Tuesday told the court that Yushau gave him N650million to pay for plot 1386 in Wuse II,Abuja.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Badeh, alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on a10-count charge of money laundering bordering on alleged fraudulent removal of about N3.97 billion from the Nigerian Air Force’s account.

    The anti-graft agency accused Badeh of using the fund to buy and develop landed assets in Abuja for himself and two sons between January and December 2013.

    Yarima, a building contractor and Managing Director of Right Builders told the court in evidence in chief that he bought the land on the instruction of PW1 adding that he signed all the documents on behalf of that Rite builders until he would give him the real name of purchaser.

    Yarima maintained that Yushau had told him that he was acting on behalf of his boss, then Chief of Air Staff, Badeh.

    Yerima who was cross examined by the defence counsel Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) he confronted him with his statements in EFCC pointing out that nowhere did he mentioned that Yushau told him he was acting on the instruction of Badeh, the witness said what he wrote at the EFCC was a summary of what transpired.

    The witness said:”I don’t think I was able to write everything that happened between that three years and the EFCC reasoned with one when I told them I cannot remember every incident that happened within those three years”.

    The witness further stated that while he was writing his first statement at EFCC he had documents with him unlike when he was testifying in the court.

    Yarima also told the court that the reason he did not state those things he gave in his evidence was because he was not asked those questions. He said the more the defence counsel asks him the more he remembers.

    On why he did not include in his five statements that prior to the commencement of the project he held a meeting with Yushau where he was told the plaza belongs to Badeh, Yerima said, “Maybe it skipped”.

    Yarima further added:”In my statement on the 6th of January, 2016, when agreement were reached to start the construction of the complex I was paid a total of N864,582, 832.04 from the Nigerian Air Force accounts into my  Zenith Bank account. In that list of payment N9,220,100 was paid on 29th of January 2013 when the construction was yet to start”

    He explained that the payment were part of the pre-construction expenses, adding that this was from where the payment to Saka was made.

    Justice Okong Abang adjourned the matter till today for continuation of cross examination.

  • Badeh’s agent asked me to buy property in my firm’s name – Witness

    Badeh’s agent asked me to buy property in my firm’s name – Witness

    Mustapha Yerima, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that a former Director of Finance and Account at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF),  Air Commodore Abdullahi Yushau (rtd), instructed him to buy Abuja property in his company’s name, Right Builders.

    Yerima, who spoke during cross examination, told the court that Yushau gave him N650 million to pay for the property located at Plot 1386, Wuse II, Abuja.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Badeh alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on a 10-count charge of money laundering bordering on alleged fraudulent removal of about N3.97 billion from the NAF account.

    The EFCC accused Badeh of using the fund to buy and develop landed assets in Abuja for himself and two sons between January and December 2013.

    Yerima, a building contractor and Managing Director of Right Builders, told the court in evidence in chief that he bought the land on the instruction of PW1 (Yushau), adding that he signed all the documents on behalf of Rite builders until he would give him the real name of purchaser.

    The witness maintained that Yushau had told him that he was acting on behalf of his boss, then Chief of Air Staff, Badeh.

  • Witness: how Badeh paid N650m for land in Wuse II

    Witness: how Badeh paid N650m for land in Wuse II

    An EFCC witness, Mustapha Yarima, yesterday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that retired Air Commodore Abdullahi Yasha’u, gave him N650 million to pay for plot 1386 in Wuse II, Abuja.

    Yarima spoke during cross examination in the ongoing trial of former Chief of Air Staff Alex Badeh, who was arraigned by the EFCC on allegations of diverting N3.97billion money meant for fighting insurgents in the Northeast.

    Badeh pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The witness testified that the Yasha’u, who was the former Director of Finance of the Nigeria Air Force directed him to pay the amount in cash on behalf of his boss (Alex Badeh).

    Cross-examined by Akin Olujimi (SAN), the defence counsel, the witness admitted that Yusha’u gave him N650 million to pay to the owner of the land in one tranche.

    “And anytime Yusha’u is engaging us for those assignments, he keep telling us that it is for his boss (Alex Badeh),” Yarima said.

    He said that the land was acquired for the purpose of building a shopping complex in Wuse II, Abuja.

    The trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang, adjourned hearing till June 15 for continuation of cross examination.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Badeh asked me to claim N1.8b property’

    ‘Badeh asked me to claim N1.8b property’

    •Ex-Chief of Defence Staff, others wanted him to claim ownership of asset

    Crosecution witness in the trial of former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh gave details yesterday on how he failed in his attempt to conceal the ownership of a shopping mall worth N1.8 billion he built for the ex-defence chief in Abuja.

    The witness, Mustapha Yerima, a building contractor and managing director of a property firm, Right Builders Technologies Limited, told a Federal High Court in Abuja that Badeh and some others asked him to claim ownership of the property to conceal its true ownership from investigators.

    Yerima, who testified as the fourth prosecution witness in the trial of Badeh and a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, said he failed in his effort to conceal the ownership of the property when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confronted him with actual documents relating to the true ownership of the property.

    Badeh is being tried on 10-count with Iyalikam for money laundering and diversion of public funds estimated at about N3.97 billion.

    Led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, Yerima, who opened his testimony on Monday, concluded his evidence-in-chief yesterday.

    The witness had, on the previous day, gave evidence concerning how he was recruited by Badeh, through a former Director of Finance and Account of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), retired Air Commodore Aliyu Yishau, to construct the shopping mall on Aminu Kanu Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

    Yerima said: “We continued our work after the payment from the third parties until one fateful morning. One of my site supervisors called me that EFCC operatives were looking for me. So, immediately, I drove down to the site.

    “He asked me, if the property belonged to Dasuki. I told them I had neither seen Dasuki nor met him. So, I was asked to report at their office by 3pm. Before I got to their office, I called Air Commodore Yishau, to tell him what has happened.

    “So, he said since he had handed over the project to the original owner and that Alex (Jnr.) was the one coordinating, I should call him and explain to him. I then called him and told him that I wanted him to link me up with his father so that I could explain what was happening. But he told me his father was not around. But he said I should call Air Commodore Yishau back.

    “After I spoke with Alex Badeh Jnr., it took some time for him to get back. When he eventually got back to me, he said they had discussed. But that I should call back Air Commodore Yishau, who would then tell me what to tell EFCC operatives.

    “Yishau called me and told me that since my company was into property development, that I should claim it. He said so because I think he was scared.

    “It was at that point, this same Timothy Muje, a lawyer, called me that we should meet somewhere around Wuse 2. We met there and he handed over those same documents I gave them earlier.

    “He deliberately refused to give me the power of attorney, the deed of assignment, between Right Builders and this other company, whose name I cannot remember, because the whole idea was for me to claim the property as they agreed between them.

    “I want to believe it was the agreement between Yishau, Alex Badeh Jnr, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and the lawyer, Timothy Muje, that I should claim the property.

    “What Barrister Timothy told me was that they had reached an agreement that I should please protect them. But when I got to EFCC, it was a different ball game because I was confronted with some chilling evidence.

    “I was confronted with so many documents such as copies of drawings, statement of accounts and so many other documents relating to that project, including e-mail correspondents.

    “At that point, I had no other choice than to tell EFCC exactly the way things were – just the way I narrated my testimony, everything that transpired.

    “The approximate cost of the shopping mall was about N1.8 billion inclusive of the cost of the land. Since the EFCC operatives visited the site, they told us to stay off, since it was under investigation,” Yerima said.

    The witness told the court that when Yishau, who was acting as the go-between in his relationship with Badeh, retired, Badeh’s son took over the role.

    Yerima said Badeh’s son – Alex Badeh (Jnr) – later authorised a third party, a company identified as Viteva, to make payment of  N108 million into Right Builder’s account as part of the payment for the construction of the mall.

    “The payment that came through the third party was as a result of the meeting between myself, Air Commodore Yishau and Alex Badeh Jnr.

    “Prior to this meeting, there was a meeting that held between me and Air Commodore Yishau where he introduced Barrister Timothy Muje to me as the lawyer to Air Chief Marshal Badeh and that since he (Yishau) was retiring, I should transfer all necessary documents to the lawyer in the person of Barrister Timothy Muje, who was representing Air Chief Marshal Badeh.

    “He (Yishau) came with a prepared Deed of Assignment and Power of Attorney, with my company’s name and one other company for the transferring of the title from Right Builders, which is my company, to the other company. He gave me copies to sign and I signed.

    “I remember in that meeting I also met one Barrister Umar, who also came for the transfer of similar documents. I signed those documents and handed over the remaining documents in my possession to Barrister Timothy Muje.

    “I mentioned earlier in my previous testimony, that the day the transaction was concluded, I only handed over the original Certificate of Occupancy to  Air Commodore Yishau.

    “This time around, I handed over the deed of assignment, the power of attorney between Ayodele Fayose and Tony to him. I also handed over to him, other documents, including the power of attorney between Cassagro and Right Builders.

    “He gave me the power of attorney and the deed of assignment which he (Barrister Timothy Muje) came with which were already prepared in the name of the company, I cannot remember the name, but which was between that company and Right Builders. I signed it and gave it back to Barrister Timothy and then I left.

    “The total money that I received from the third party was about N108 million. It was paid into my company’s account. Immediately I received an alert from Vetiva Nigeria Limited, I quickly called Alex Badeh (Jnr.) to confirm.

    “He confirmed to me that they (he and his father) gave instruction to Vetiva to make the payment on their behalf. There are two other companies that also made deposits into my company’s account, which Alex Jnr confirmed to me that they made those deposits on behalf of them.

    “Those two companies were Macden Communications Limited and Chimeize Puintes,” Yerima said as he ended his testimony.

    When asked to cross-examine the witness, defence lawyers, Akin Olujinmi (SAN) and Samuel Ologunorisa (SAN) asked for time to enable them study Yerima’s statements, which they said were served on them yesterday.

    Trial judge Justice Okon Abang adjourned to June 14 for Yerima’s cross-examination.

     

  • Fayose named in Badeh’s N650m Abuja land purchase

    Fayose named in Badeh’s N650m Abuja land purchase

    •‘Ex-Chief of Air Staff’s son supervised construction of N1.2b property’

    A Federal High Court in Abuja was told yesterday that a plot of land bought on Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja by ex-Chief of Air Staff, Alex Badeh, at N650 million originally belonged to Ayodele Fayose.

    Mustapha Yerima, a building contractor and owner of Life Builders Technologies Limited, told the court he assisted Badeh to buy the land on which he was asked to build a shopping mall for the ex-Chief of Air Staff.

    The witness, who said the original N1.2 billion cost of the project was later reviewed upward, attributed the review partly to an alteration made to the shopping mall’s original design by Badeh’s son – Alex Badeh (Jnr). He said the alteration cost N17 million.

    Yerima was, however, silent on whether or not Mr. Ayodele Fayose, who was the original allottee of the land, is the same as Ekiti State governor.

    Yerima, the fourth prosecution witness, who was led in evidence by lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said he met Badeh through a former Director of Finance and Account of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Aliyu Yishau (rtd).

    Yishau, had while testifying as the first prosecution witness, told the court how, on Badeh’s instruction, he assisted him in acquiring property both in and outside Abuja. He also told the court how he delivered United State dollars equivalent of N558.2 million to Badeh monthly from the remnant of NAF’s monthly salaries.

    Badeh is being tried on a 10-count with a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on charges of money laundering and diversion of public funds estimated at about N3.97 billion.

    Yerima, dressed in brown kaftan, said: “I am a contractor, Life Builders Technology Limited. I do partnership with other companies. But I am the Managing Director of Life Builders.

    “Sometimes around 2013, I got information that the NAF, through the Directorate of Works and Nigerian Air Force Property Limited, was shopping for vendor, who could partner with them for construction of a conference centre.

    “While we were finding out the nature of the job, I got to understand that they are looking for technical assistance. Life Builder was a young company at that time, so I decided to contact a friend of mine, who was also a contractor.

    “He is the owner of Edile Company because he has capacity. So, I bided with him for the job. We were lucky, we got the job. Then, Air Marshal Umar was the Chief of Air Staff. A year into the project, there was a change of command and Air Chief Marshal Badeh became the Chief of Air Staff.

    “While on his official tour carried out by the NAF, he (Badeh) visited our site, which was NAF Conference Centre. We took him round the project and we showed him all the facilities. He was very impressed that an indigenous contractor could do a wonderful job because the finishings were nice.

    “Soon after that, he left. Some few weeks or months later, the Director of Finance, Air Commodore Yishau (PW1) approached me and said his boss was very pleased with our job. And that his boss wanted to give us a job. Then, he scheduled a meeting.

    “He told me the nature of the job and that it was the construction of a mall. Soon after that, Yishau called me again that they were ready to embark on the project. That we should look for a commercial plot within the city centre.

    “Before we could find one, Yishau called that they had found one along Aminu Kano Crescent. Then, he engaged us to negotiate for the land. He gave us a copy of the C of O (Certificate of Occupancy).

    “I got to know that the land was in the name of one Fayose Ayodele. Soon after, we tried to contact the owner. Yishau called again that they had found the person, who bought the land from Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

    “Then we contacted the person. It was one Mr. Tony (I can’t remember the other name). He is the owner of Itex Furnitures. We got to him and we realised that he sold to the third party by the name Kasagro Investments Limited.

    “We now spoke to Air Commodore Yishau to find out. He then directed us to negotiate with Kasangro Investments Limited. We got to Kasangro Investments Limited, he then named his price, N650 million.

    “Then, we went back to Air Commodore Yishau to tell him the price. Then he said he would get back to us. Then he called us and gave us N650 million dollar equivalent because Kasagro insisted on cash payment.

    “We then took the money to his office. He confirmed and gave us all the original documents for the land. I then called Air Commodore Yishau to ask for which name the deed of assignment and power of attorney should be executed and Yishau told me to execute the documents in the name of my company, that is – Life Builders Technologies, which would later be transferred to another company after he had discussed with his boss, in the person of Air Chief Marshal Badeh.

    “We did exactly as he said because at that time, our interest was to construct the shopping complex. We then handed over the land’s original documents to Air Commodore Yishau,” Yerima said.

    The witness further told the court that he initially gave Badeh a bill of N1.3 billion for the execution of the shopping mall project, but that it was reduced to N1.2 billion following a complaint by Yishau that the original bill was on the  high side.

    He said although he requested N408 million for mobilization, he was paid about N340 million.

    Yarima said Yishau retired before the project was completed, but that he was introduced to Badeh’s son, Alex Badeh (Jnr), who oversaw the project to completion and even directed a modification at a point, which cost an additional N17 million.

    Yerima added: “I can remember we calculated about N408 million as mobilisation. He (Yishau) then gave us about N340 million in dollar equivalent. Then, we started constructing the mall.

    “At each stage, we provided him with site progress picture, which he (Yishau) said he would be submitting to his boss, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, so that he (Badeh) would appreciate our work.

    “While we were constructing the project, Air Commodore Yishau called us for a meeting that our payment would be coming from the Air Force.

    “He then introduced me to one Air Commodore Sini, who happened to be the CFO (Camp Finance Officer) and who was in charge of payment. Soon after that, we started receiving the payment directly from the NAF.

    “We were paid a total of about N860 or N880 million from the purse of the Nigerian Air Force. As soon as we were about to exhaust the payment made to us at that time, we realised that a couple of things were not part of the bill.

    “We quickly raised an alarm. We also submitted a review because there were some items whose prices had gone up or as a result of exchange rate. Then the job began to slow down. By then, we had come to the finishing.

    “We now approached Air Commodore Yishau to inform him of our predicament. I understand that there was pressure from his boss, Air Chief Marshal Badeh, to complete the job before he went on retirement. We couldn’t do much at that time because there was constraint of money.

    “After so much argument, he said he was going to schedule a meeting between us and Air Chief Marshal Badeh. We couldn’t meet him then before he retired. One day, Air Commodore Yishau called me and said I should see him at the official resident of Chief of Air Staff.

    “Upon getting there, I met Air Commodore Yishau and Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh. Air Chief Marshal Badeh  asked me why the project could not be completed on time. I explained everything to him.

    “I brought out a bill which I had with me. From the initial bill, there was an omission – two main lifts and one service lift were omitted. It was about N97 million for those three lifts. That N97 million was inclusive of some shortages on addition glasses and installation.

    “We also gave him an additional bill for fluctuation of prices and other items to the tune of N54 million or there about. Then, he said they would provide the fund, but that I should state when I would complete the project.

    “So, I told them that as soon as the payment was made, we would draw the programme of work to know when precisely I could hand over the work. Then I left. Two days or a week later, Air Commodore Yishau told me that we were meeting again, this time with Alex Badeh (Jnr.) in Air Commodore Yishau’s residence.

    “Air Commodore Yishau told me that since he had retired, he would not be travelling frequently to Abuja, that Alex would be overseeing the activities on the project.

    “That was when Alex Badeh (Jnr) brought in his request that he wanted to use the fifth floor, which is the penthouse for restaurant. Alex said we should carry out some modifications. We then told him that it was not on the original bill that it would cost him money.

    “After much argument, he said we should submit our bill for him to look at it. After that, we left and brought him a bill of N17 million plus to do the modification. After that, payment started coming from a third party.

    “The first payment that came in was from Vetiva. I then called Alex (Jnr) to find out if he instructed that same company to pay money into our account. He said yes, that he and his father, instructed him to make the payment.

    “We were working to ensure that we met the deadline despite all the challenges we were facing at the site,” Yerima said.

    When it was over 3pm, Justice Okon Abnag halted proceedings to enable the court attend to other cases.

    He adjourned to 12noon today for Yerima to conclude his testimony.