Defense Chief Before Alex Badeh Also Diverted N558.2m Monthly - Former Director Of Finance And Accounts Nigerian Air Force

A former Director of Finance and Accounts at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushau yesterday March 24th, revealed that former Chiefs of Air Staff who served before Alex Badeh came into office, were also in the practice of diverting N558.2 million from the monthly salary of the Nigeria Air force.

Yushau said this while testifying before a Federal High Court in Abuja at the continued trial of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who is alleged to have siphoned over N3.9 billion from account of the force in 2013.

“The practice of setting aside the N558.2 million was already there, even before I was appointed as the Director of Finance in 2010,” he told the court.

Yushua stated that the system was in place when he served under former Air Chief Marshal M.D. Umar from October 2010 to October 2012. Umar is presently under investigation. He added that he briefed Badeh about how his predecessors diverted the said amount monthly when he assumed office and he decided to continue the practice.

Yushua who was cross-examined by Badeh’s lawyer, Akin Olujumi, said: “I gave the Chief the complete brief of the financial position of the Nigerian Air Force when he was appointed. From then he took control of the expenditure of the balance of N558.2 million which we monthly deducted from the salary account.”. Badeh's trial continues on April 8th, Vanguard reports.

Meanwhile Alex Badeh regained his freedom last night after meeting his bail conditions. Badeh who is standing trial for the misappropriation of N1.1 billion meant for the Nigeria Airforce, was granted N2 billion bail and two sureties in the sum of N1bn each, by a Federal High Court on March 10th. He met all the conditions last night and is presently at his Abuja home.