BEVERLY HILLS, November 15, (THEWILL) – Fatima Daudu, a prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the ongoing trial of Air Marshal Alex Badeh, has revealed to a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how $702,000 was paid into Badeh’s account in eight instalments.
Daudu said she 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. She told the court how she opened a ‘Visa Gold Account’ for Badeh.
She then explained how money was paid into the Account between June 13, 2013 to October 24, 2013.
“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 she later cross-checked.
“I filled the teller and wrote my name on it as evidenced,” she added.
“They gave the money to me as the relationship officer and so we got to the counter and cross-checked the money.”
The prosecution counsel, 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.”
“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.
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 which contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Justice Okong Abang adjourned proceedings 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.
Story by Oputah David
