The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, detained the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.), in connection with his alleged role in the $2.1bn arms purchase scam. He arrived the EFCC office around 10am on Monday. Badeh had early visited the commission on Thursday last week before he was asked to appear at the commission's office yesterday.
He was interrogated by detectives for several hours and as 10pm, Badeh was still in the custody of the anti-graft agency. An EFCC operative confirmed his detention:
“Badeh arrived at our office at 10am and as of 10pm, he is still with us.”
It was learnt that he was asked to account for contracts totalling $930,500,690.00 awarded by the Nigeria Air Force when he was the chief of defence staff. The money is said to be part of the $2.1bn, which was under the control of the Office of the National Security Adviser, then under the headship of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).
Badeh is also said to be answering questions on the non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence with provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
Investigation into the matter by the EFCC is still ongoing.
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