Witness confirm show $702,000 was paid into Badeh’s account

Fatima Daudu, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Air Marshal Alex Badeh, yesterday explained to a Federal High Court, Abuja how $702,000 was paid into the accused’s account in eight installments.

Badeh is standing trial alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, for allegedly abusing his office as Chief of Defence Staff by using the dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.4billion removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase properties in choice areas of Abuja between January and December, 2013.The prosecution said 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.

Mrs. Daudu, who has been a relationship manager at First Bank since 2011 with a defined function of marketing people, converting them to customers and managing the relationship, told Justice Okong Abang how she opened a “Visa Gold Account” for Badeh.

“The account is a card account and domiciliary account, which cannot be operated over the counter,” the witness said.She explained how a deposit of $50,000 was made in two instalments by Badeh’s officers, which was later cross-checked by the witness.“I filled the teller and wrote my name on it as evidenced,” she added.The witness added that Badeh sent money through his officers to the bank.

“They gave the money to me as the relationship officer and so we got to the counter and cross-checked the money,” she added.The prosecution counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolagbe, sought the indulgence of the court to permit a detailed explanation on some of the exhibits by the witness.The witness recognised Exhibit F1, dated March 15, 2016, as a document addressed to the Head of Operations, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with the account name: “Badeh Alex Sabundu”.

Mrs. Daudu explained how the money was paid into the “Visa Gold Account” between June 13, 2013 to October 24,2013.She said: “On June 13, 2013, a cash deposit of $10,000 was made by a third party, who is the witness and on June 21, 2013,a cash deposit of $100,000 was made by a third party, who is a witness.“On June 27, 2013,a cash deposit of $100,000 was made by the same witness.

“While on July 23, 2013, a cash deposit of about $50,000 was deposited by witness.“On August 2, 2013, cash deposit of $100,000 was made by Raphael.“On October 17, 2013, $142,000 was deposited by witness“On October 18, 2013, the sum of $100,000 was deposited by Mrs. Daudu.”On October 23, 2013, the sum of $100,000 was deposited by the witness herself.

Justice Abang adjourned till Thursday November 17 for the continuation of evidence as the prosecution counsel demanded for more time to get documents, which would also serve as more evidence