$2.1b arms deal saga: EFCC raids ex-CDS Badeh’s house, obtain vital documents
– The EFCC is not slowing down its fight against corruption and is going after former military chiefs
– The anti-graft agency was at the residence of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Badeh, searching for important documents
– Badeh has been in EFCC custody for over 48 hours, answering questions on the procurement deals in the Armed Forces
The house of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, a former Chief of Defence Staff was raided yesterday, February 9, by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Nation reports that a source disclosed that some EFCC operatives were drafted to the former military chief’s house to some documents.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh
According to the source, it became necessary to search Badeh’s house for some vital documents after interrogating him for 24 hours.
The source said: “We acted on intelligence report at our disposal. After the search, we made necessary documentation of the items retrieved from the place. Such a search is routine when conducting a sensitive investigation like this.”
Badeh who arrived at the office of the anti-graft agency on Monday is still being detained.
The source said the ex-CDS went through another round of questioning on the procurement of used aircraft, yesterday.
“He is expected to account for purchase of uniforms for the Armed Forces when some officers and men complained of not getting the required pairs. “On November 26, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh sought for approval of the award of one pair of uniform (in the interim) for the Armed Forces at N165, 375 to El-Jahab Mubarak Nigeria and N330,750,000 for two pairs,” the source stated.
READ ALSO: $2.1bn Arms Deal: EFCC arrests Air Vice Marshal Ojuawo at airport
The source added that Badeh may spend longer days in EFCC custody because of the wider scope of the procurement deals in the Armed Forces.
There were indications that some serving military officers have been moved to guest houses, pending their interrogation.
Another source said: “In grilling these officers, we are trying to keep to military tradition of according them the respect befitting of officers. You know all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Some of these officers are currently in some military guest houses.”
Badeh is being probed for contracts totaling $930,500,690.00 which were awarded under his leadership. The money is said to be part of the $2.1bn, meant for the purchase of arms, which was under the control of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Besides Badeh, others being interrogated are a former Chief of Air Staff, A.N. Amosu; ex- Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal M.D. Umar; ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki ; Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to the ex-NSA; and the most senior Air Force officer, and AVM A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration).
Last week, there were reports that the EFCC had traced some money to the accounts of wives and children of some former and serving military chiefs. The officers were said to have acquired properties in the names of their wives, children and relations to cover up their loot.
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