How $752,000 was lodged into Badeh’s Visa Gold Account – witness
Former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh. Photo Ladidi Lucy Elukpo.
A prosecution witness, Mrs Fatima Dauda, on Monday told a Federal High Court that she opened a “Visa Gold Account” for the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh.
The witness made this known to Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja division of the court while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mr O.A Atolagbe.
According to the witness, an initial deposit of 50,000 dollars was made into the account in two instalments by Badeh’s officers.
The witness said that she personally filled the deposit teller and wrote her name on it.
The witness also told the court that 702, 000 dollars was paid into the account between June 13, 2013 and Oct. 24, 2013 by Badeh and a third party.
The witness said she was the Relationship Manager of the First Bank since 2011 with a distinct function of marketing and securing customers as well as managing the relationship.
Dauda told the court that she was the relationship manager of Badeh’s visa gold account from 2012 when the account was opened.
According to the witness, the visa gold account cannot be operated over the counter except in case of deposits.
Dauda told the court that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had in May, requested for information regarding the said account.
The witness said that the information released to the EFCC included certificate of identification, vouchers, statement of account and other relevant documents.
The documents were admitted in evidence as exhibit F1 to exhibit F15.
Atolagbe pleaded with the court to permit a detailed explanation of some of the exhibits by the witness without any objection from the defence counsel, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (SAN).
“The witness recognises some of the documents, part of which is in the investigation process addressed to Head of Operations, EFCC and bearing Alex Badeh as account holder.
“Other exhibits are also acknowledged by the witness as Application Form, Letter of Exemption from Payment of Utility Bills and documents showing cash deposits by the first defendant, all bearing Alex Badeh,” the prosecutor said.
Justice Abang granted the request by prosecution counsel for more time to collate other evidences and adjourned continuation of hearing until Nov. 17.
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1 Comments
Jonathan’s government was, indeed, a government of bazaar and bizarre! These guys had no mercy in their hearts at the looting spree that occasioned that Jonathanian era. Army chief with almost a million dollars in just one account, not counting others in his name and family and surrogates. Innocent soldiers died for lack of appropriate equipment. The once who ran for their dear lives from the overpower of their enemies were court-marshaled and condemned to the death. Civilians died in droves and thousands more were and are still displaced in suffering in IDP camps without human dignity. May this army thief get the death penalty as he wished the poor soldiers he shamefully commanded to die, in Allah’s name!!
We will review and take appropriate action.