A few hours after he was slammed with a 10-count criminal charge of corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC), the former Chief of Defense staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has denied the allegation that he misappropriated funds meant for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Badeh made his position known in a statement on Wednesday, noting that it was impossible for him to have received $800, 000, because he had no control over services and spending.
“I was Chief of Air staff from Oct 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.”
“It has been widely reported in the news that I am being investigated over the $2.1bn arms deal but that is not true. I was not part of Dasukigate.”
Badeh also said that when the EFCC claimed that it had traced money running into billions to the account of ex-Airforce officials, none was traced to him but ‘the commission kept generalizing the case and making it look as if my family was involved.’
“A remand warrant was hastily obtained on the 25th February in Lagos as soon as the EFCC was served with a notice for my bail by my lawyer. Why detain me for so long and issue such onerous bail conditions when they are not ready to charge me to court?”
The former CDS noted that it is saddening that the country he fought hard to defend against Boko Haram militancy cannot protect his fundamental human rights.
He also denied claims that he had sent an helicopter to rescue his parents and relative when Boko Haram attacked his village, Vimtim, in 2014.
“Which parents? I am an orphan. I lost my father in the 70’s 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.”
Leave a reply