The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, provided its ninth witness in the ongoing corruption trial of former Chief of Air Staff, Alex Badeh.
At the resumption of trial, the witness, Fatima Daudu, a relationship manager at First Bank, narrated to Justice Okong Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja how the sum of $702,000 was paid into the Badeh’s account in eight installments.
She told the court that she opened a “Visa Gold Account” for the former Air chief, saying that “the account is a card account and domiciliary account, which cannot be operated over the counter.”
Fatima explained how $50,000 was paid into the account in two installments by Badeh’s officers, which was later cross-checked by her.
“I filled the teller and wrote my name on it as evidenced. They gave the money to me as the relationship officer and so we got to the counter and cross-checked the money,” she said.
The witness further explained how the other monies were paid into the “Visa Gold Account” between June 13, 2013 and October 24, 2013.
At the request of the Counsel to EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, the court permitted a detailed explanation on some of the exhibits tendered by the witness.
Fatima 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 then adjourned the case to Thursday, November 17, for continuation of hearing.
Former Air chief, 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 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.