Armsgate: EFCC Detains ex-CDS‎, Alex Badeh

Armsgate: EFCC Detains ex-CDS‎, Alex Badeh

TODAY, former Chief of Defence Staff during the Goodluck Jonathan led administration, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh, was detained at the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC).

Badeh who is being questioned in connection with the $2.1bn‎ arms procurement scandal was at the commission headquarters in Abuja, at the time of filling this report.

Although, EFCC did not officially confirm Badeh's detention, a source familiar ‎with the interrogation hinted that the former CDS would be detained and may not be granted freedom soon.

Badeh is expected to make clarifications on the procurement of arms during his tenure.

The source also stated that Badeh is being interrogated by a special team comprising of very senior officers in the commission.

"The ex-CDS is still with us, he is going to pass the night here and he might not be released soon, the interrogation is ongoing."said an EFCC official.

The former CDS had last Wednesday visited the EFCC    to honour the invitation extended to him by the anti-graft commission, but his appointment with the commission was rescheduled for yesterday.

Some other serving senior military officers were invited by the EFCC to give more information about the purchase of the arms, in continuation of the probe of the arms deals allegedly executed by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, ‎

According to a relable source, ‘the serving military officers were mainly from the Procurement Unit of the Nigerian Air Force in the Defence Headquarters. And those who appeared before us gave a useful information that is very vital to our investigation. And we are making progress.’’

A close associate of the former CDS had last week said Badeh was ready for the EFCC’s interrogation because he had nothing to hide.

A source, who spoke in confidence to a national daily, said: “We have invited Badeh, we expect him to come and make clarifications on procurement of arms during his tenure.

“He has advantage because he was Chief of Air Staff before his elevation to the CDS. So, he will be of assistance to the probe by this commission.

The breaches allegedly identified by the probe committee include non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.