Metro How Badeh Paid Own Companies Over N157m Without Contract Paper - Witness

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A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kenneth Uchechuchukwu Osokogu, on Tuesday, narrated how the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) under Alex Badeh’s watch made payments to the tune of N157million to companies linked to the former Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, for non-existent contracts.

Osokogu told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the money was paid to Iyalikam Nigeria Limited and Prince and Princess Multi-services Limited.

Led in evidence by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Osokogu, whose schedule of duties include making payments as directed by the CDS and Director of Finance and Account, narrated how the DHQ received two letters from the EFCC in November 29, 2016 concerning investigating activities on Iyalikam, Prince and Princess Multi-services and the DHQ.

Alex Badeh.JPG

He said: “The first letter was asking for contract documents and all activities regarding the two companies and the defense headquarters. We searched our archives and could not find any document relating to contracts and direct purchase regarding DHQ and the two companies. I was directed to write back to the EFCC that we could not find anything, which I did through a letter dated December 9, 2016”.

He further told the court that the EFCC wrote back to DHQ, concerning the same companies, attaching two payment mandates evidencing money paid by the DHQ to the companies.

According to him, there was no record of any contract documents with respect to the payment, but the payment mandates attached to the letter from the EFCC, were found in the files.

Justice Abang, thereafter, adjourned to May 17, 2017, for continuation of trial.

Badeh is standing trial alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97billion.
 
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