Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in
Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, October 27th, 2016 admitted
another thirteen exhibits tendered before it by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the ongoing trial of a
former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh
Badeh is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside his company,
Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, for allegedly abusing his office by
using the dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.4billion (One
Billion, Four Hundred Million Naira) removed from the accounts
of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, 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.
Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, led the seventh
prosecution witness, PW7, Oluwatoyin Oke (a business woman);
from whom the first defendant (Badeh) allegedly bought a
choice property in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja in evidence.
The witness told the court that she used to own and live in No.
19, Kumasi Crescent, Wuse 2 Abuja also known as plot 456
Kumasi Crescent Wuse 2, until 2013 when she sold it for
N260million. Oke stated that after putting the property up for
sale, she was contacted by one Abba Maidama who informed
her of an interested buyer. Upon inspection of the property,
Maidama further informed her that his client was ready to
commence payment in three installments.
The PW7 told the Court that the first installment she received
was $550,000.00 (five hundred and fifty thousand United States
dollars) which was paid into her account by the agent.
Upon
receipt of the second and third installments of the dollar
equivalent of N260million, Oke stated that she signed and
handed over all the original documents and title deeds of the
property, including a Power of attorney, Deed of Assignment
and Deed of Sale to Maidama.
Prosecuting counsel now asked the witness to ascertain copies
of the documents which were shown to her in court; and she
did. Thereafter, the documents were tendered and marked as
exhibits D8 to D20 with no objection from lead defense
counsel, Akin Olujimi, SAN. Olujimi was called upon to cross-
examine the witness to which he declined.
Justice Okon Abang, thereafter, adjourned to the November 2
and 3, 2016 for continuation of trial.
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