A General Court Martial sitting in Abuja has jailed six Nigerian Air Force personnel, who were aides to the former Chief of Defence Staff, Late Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

The PUNCH reports that Badeh was shot dead in December 2018 by gunmen while on his way back from his farm.

The six air force personnel were on Friday awarded various sentences by the GCM which sat at the NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.

According to the NAF in a release on Saturday morning by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the convicted personnel are; Squadron Leader Tom Gwani, Flight Sergeant Amu David, Flight Sergeant Philemon Degema, Flight Sergeant Sabo Simon, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdullahi and Sergeant Alfred Alexander.

The NAF did not specify their jail terms but said four of the personnel were detailed to provide armed escort for the late CDS while the two others were detailed for guard duty at his house.

The PUNCH reports that on December 18, 2018, the former CDS was ambushed and killed by some gunmen on his way back from his farm along Gitata-Keffi Highway in Nasarawa State.

The Nigerian Police Force, operatives of the Department of State Services and the military had thereafter arrested about 14 suspects in connection with the murder, who confessed that they were on a robbery and kidnapping operation.

Daramola, in a release, on Friday, said, “Six NAF personnel, who were aides to the former CDS were awarded various sentences by the GCM sitting at the NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.

“The personnel were standing trial for various offences. Delivering his judgment, the President of the GCM, Air Commodore David Aluku, pronounced the six accused personnel guilty of various charges.

“These included their failure to perform military duties, by absconding from the convoy of the deceased former CDS, while it came under attack, as well as conduct to the prejudice of service discipline, for giving false statements.

“The charges against the accused also included other civil offences of criminal conspiracy and miscellaneous offences relating to property, for illegally disposing of 79 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition issued for the protection of the late CDS, among others.

“While pleading in mitigation, the Defence Counsels urged the court to show leniency, describing the accused persons as first time offenders. The sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority.”

https://punchng.com/breaking-murder-court-jails-six-naf-personnel-attached-to-ex-cds-badeh/



Lalasticlala

“These included their failure to perform military duties, by absconding from the convoy of the deceased former CDS, while it came under attack, as well as conduct to the prejudice of service discipline, for giving false statements.

“The charges against the accused also included other civil offences of criminal conspiracy and miscellaneous offences relating to property, for illegally disposing of 79 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition issued for the protection of the late CDS, among others.

First the fled from the scene when they were attacked then illegally disposed of 79 rounds of live ammo. 79 rounds would have been more than enough to resist the attack and prevent the former Chief of Defence Staff from being killed but first they fled and then disposed of their weapons illegally.

The NAF have not told us the truth yet and are yet to reveal the person who called the hit on the former CoDS. They know what we don't.

Did he have guards with him on that day ?

SarkinYarki:
Did he have guards with him on that day ?

Six NAF personnel with 79 rounds 5.56mm of live ammo. They fled like regular policemen and disposed their weapons illegally, possibly to claim they were not armed. Classic esprit de corps.

Below is what a 5.56mm looks like.