The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday detained the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd).
Badeh spent the night in one of EFCC’s detention facilities in Abuja after being grilled for about 9 hours in connection with his alleged role in the 2.1 billion dollar arms procurement scandal.
According to EFCC sources, his session with a panel of investigators which grilled him started by 10am and didn’t end until around 7pm.
Checks by Thinkers Newspaper at EFCC headquarters by 8pm on Monday indicated that he would pass the night in custody in order for his interrogation to continue on Tuesday.
Badeh was reportedly confronted with some documents, including letters to the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), demanding the procurement of some military equipment.
According to the sources, some of the military equipment under question were also bought when Badeh was Chief of Air Staff.
Other top retired officers currently in detention include Dasuki, Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to the ex-NSA; and a former Chief of Air Staff, A.N. Amosu
Others for investigation are former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal M.D. Umar; the most senior Air Force officer, AVM A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration); AVM O.T.Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters); AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi; AVM J.B. Adigun (former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM J. A. Kayode-Beckley(Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T. Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings), four top officers at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) – Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi; Air Cdre. GMD Gwani; Air Cdre. S.O. Makinde; and Air Cdre. A.Y. Lassa.
