– The witness is a retired air commodore in the Nigeria air
force

– He said out of N4 billion slated for personnel salaries only a
little above N2 billion was used

– He also said he rejected N120 million given to him to run his
office as a finance director with Nigeria air force


[img]http://i.onthe.io/vllkytqtc22cbd4jg.286df83d.jpg[/img]


A witness has given account of how he helped the former chief
of defence staff, Alex Badeh buy houses in various locations.
The first witness in the trial of a former chief of defence staff,
Alex Badeh, on Wednesday, March 16, narrated how he takes
money to the official residence of the chief of air staff.

Salisu Abdullahi, a former director of finance with the Nigeria
air force told the court out of a monthly N4 billion slated for
personnel salaries only a little above N2 billion was used for
the said purpose.


“However, our total wage bill as at that time was above N2
billion monthly,” Abdullahi said.

He said the balance which was usually between N1.6 and N1.7
goes to the chief of air staff.

Badeh was the chief of air staff from October 4, 2012 to 2015.
Abdullahi said: “Out of this amount, N558,200,000 was usually
earmarked for the general administration of the chief of air
staff. “


He said the remaining amount was also returned to the chief of
air staff for commands and direct reporting unit for
procurement projects and training.
The disbursements of the funds are usually authorized by the
chief of air staff.

Abdullahi added that expenditures from the funds are approved
by the CAS through the procurement and planning committee.

“ The amount was actually under the complete control of the
chief of air staff, ” he said.
He however added that sometimes the chief of air staff may
give approval for somethings to be done.


“But in most cases, the amount was exchanged into US dollars
under the authorization of the chief of air staff to the director of
finance of NAF – that is me – and I pass the same instructions
to the finance officer at the headwaters of Nigeria air force
camp, ” Abdullahi continued.

He added that the authorization usually comes to him
(Abdullahi) by word of mouth from the air chief.

“Only instructions given in writings are those forwarded to his
office from branches and the unit for approval. When such
approvals are given, they are forwarded to my office for
necessary payment action,” he said.

He said subsequently, the money was exchanged and brought
to him (Abdullahi) as the director of finance.

He then takes the exchanged money to the chief of air staff at
his official residence in Niger Barracks.

“As military officers in such situations we do not refer to any
acknowledgment, however, in some cases I do tell the finance
officer to meet me at the air house in Niger Barracks with the
money so that he can see when I hand over the money to the
chief of air staff,” Abdullahi said.

Also the witness, who retired as an air commodore in Nigeria
air force informed the court that he was given N120 million
monthly to run his office as a finance director.

“I rejected the money because I did not see any reason why
such money should be given to my office so I directed that the
money should be kept under the control of the chief of air
staff, ” he said.

He said the money was then used to cover the travelling
expenses of the chief of air staff within Nigeria.

Badeh, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) alleged have breached public trust during his time as
chief of air staff and subsequently as chief of defence staff.
He is accused of money laundering to the tune of N3.9 billion
at this time.


He currently under the custody in Kuje prison due to his
inability to meet the bail conditions granted to him by the court.
Meanwhile, Alex Badeh on Wednesday, March 16 made an
application against the jurisdiction of the court to hear the
charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC).

The defendant today, filed a motion on notice challenging the
court’s jurisdiction on the matter before it.

Badeh also in an objection said the charges against him by the
EFCC is erroneous and misleading. He further urged to hear his
application.

But in an objection, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs
said the effort by the defendant to file an application after trial
has been slated is aimed at stalling trial.

https://www.naij.com/766582-use-take-money-alex-badehs-residence-naf-director-finance.html

wow!!!! this is some heartless stealing. Badeh is going to jail for sure.