Latest: Corruption and Money Laundering.
Corruption Trial: Witness Denies Badeh Owns Vangoose Nig Ltd
A twist has been added to the ongoing trial of former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh (retd).
At the resumption of trial before Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, Abuja, Monday, the 10th prosecution witness and Regional Manager, First Bank Nigeria Ltd, Olabode Forinwole, denied that Vangoose Nig. Ltd belongs to Badeh.
Vangoose is one of the companies said to have been used by Badeh to launder millions of naira allegedly belonging to the Nigerian Airforce.
In a cross examination by counsel to the defendant, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), the witness told the court that the photograph on the mandate card of Vangoose Nig ltd bearing Alex Bade Sabundu, does not match with the face of the defendant who was in court.
Forinwole also told the court that he did not know anything about the inflow and outflow in a statement of account “Sabudu Badeh Foundation Account” after cross checking page 124-128 of the bundle of exhibit given to him.
The witness also denied not knowing the sources of transaction in a statement of account and memorandum of understanding for Prince and Princess Multiservice Ltd which is also alleged to be owned by Badeh
The court adjourned till December 6 for continuation of cross examination.
Badeh was arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused Badeh of using funds assigned to the Nigerian Air Force to purchase a mansion in Abuja, among other charges.
The Commission said the purchase was done with the dollar equivalent of N1.4bn
According to the Commission, “Badeh, while being the CDS, among other things between January and December, 2013 used dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.4billion (One Billion, One Hundred Million Naira) removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase a mansion situated at No. 6, Ogun River Street, Off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja,” the EFCC said .
The offence is in contravention of Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act, the anti-graft body said.
The former Defence Chief, however, denied allegations of corruption against him.
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