$1m cash has been recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from one of the houses belonging to the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh(retd.).
The money was recovered after detectives searched a mansion located at 6, Ogun River Street, Maitama, Abuja.
A detective at the EFCC, was quoted by Punch Newspapers to have said: “We have seized several properties belonging to Badeh. A few days ago, we returned to the mansion located at 6, Ogun River Street, Maitama.”
“In the presence of several witnesses, including neighbours, we searched the house and recovered $1m in cash. The money has been lodged as evidence.”
Badeh’s property, in which the money was found, is said to be worth over N1.1bn and is one of the five properties seized from the ex-defence chief.
Some of the properties were said to have been purchased, renovated and furnished for a son of the former CDS, Alex Badeh (Jnr.).
The EFCC has filed a 10-count criminal charge against the former Chief of Defense Staff, at an Abuja Federal High court.
Badeh is accused of misappropriating money meant for the Nigerian Airforce and using it to acquire properties in Abuja.
He is also accused of using N60 million to renovate the home of his son, Alex Badeh Jnr, who is said to be currently at large.
Furthermore, he is alleged to have paid N878, 362, 732, 94 into the account of Rytebuilders Technologies Limited for the construction of a shopping mall in Abuja.
Badeh who has been in the EFCC custody since February 8, has denied the allegations that he misappropriated funds meant for the Nigerian Air Force.
“I was Chief of Air staff from Oct 2012 to January 2014 and then appointed CDS. During my time serving as the CDS, funds for weapons were directly released to the Chief of Air staff, Army Staff and Naval Staff and not to me. I had no control over the funds and yet, I am being accused of embezzling weapons funds.”
“It has been widely reported in the news that I am being investigated over the $2.1bn arms deal but that is not true. I was not part of Dasukigate”, Badeh had said.
