EFCC Serves Badeh With Fresh Proof, Trial Starts Wednesday

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rescheduled the trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, to commence on Wednesday.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission called its first witness on Monday but the matter could not proceed on the account of a fresh proof of evidence newly served on Badeh and the second accused, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited.
It was learnt that the fresh proof of evidence, a copy of which was served on Badeh on Friday, comprised an additional statement made by the ex-Chief of Defence Staff to the EFCC.
The EFCC is prosecuting Badeh and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on 10 counts of money laundering involving alleged fraudulent diversion of about N3.97bn from the account of the Nigerian Air Force between January and December 2013.It was also learnt that other statements made to the commission by one of its operatives and two other proposed prosecution witnesses were also part of the fresh proof of evidence.
The prosecution alleged that Badeh acquired choice landed assets in various parts of Abuja for himself and his son, Laex Badehy (Jnr.) with the money.
After the defendants were arraigned on March 7, Justice Okon Abang, ordered that Badeh be remanded in Kuje prison pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The judge had fixed Monday for commencement of trial, and subsequently on March 10 granted bail to Badeh in the sum of N2bn.