$2.1bn Arms deal: Badeh faces EFCC interrogators today

A former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh, who is scheduled to return to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, today (Monday), is expected to have a tough day at the anti-graft agency.

It was learnt in Abuja, late on Sunday, that the commission had assembled two teams of its toughest operatives to engage the ex-CDS in a marathon session to find out his level of complicity in the $2.1bn arms deal scandal.

Close associates of the former CDS citing sources within the anti-graft agency also alleged that “plans are afoot to bring fresh charges” other than those Badeh was originally invited for against the ex-military chief.

A source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said, “We reliably gathered however that there are moves to thoroughly embarrass the former CDS when he arrives the EFCC headquarters.

“Our source revealed that some charges are being lined up against him, outside the speculated charges to confront him with.”

The associate insisted that the former CDS had expressed his willingness to cooperate with the anti-graft agency because he had nothing to hide.

According to him, the former CDS has vowed to remain in Abuja to answer to all the allegations against him, noting that he has no plans “to run away.”

Badeh was originally invited to explain his role in the alleged improper procurement of arms and ammunition for the armed forces under his watch.

Ongoing investigations by the anti-graft agency traced $2.1bn as part of the funds meant for the procurement of arms to the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

Most of the funds were later traced into the private accounts of political associates of the former President Goodluck Jonathan for the prosecution of the 2015 general elections.

It will be recalled that Badeh had in an interview with Channels TV, in August 2015 a few weeks after he was relieved of his appointment, said the last time the Nigerian Army received new equipment was in 2006. He also said the Nigerian military flies the oldest fighter jets in the whole world.”

Attempts to get an official reaction from the spokesperson of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, were unsuccessful. Calls to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off as of the time of filing this report.