– Nigeria’s former chief of defence Alex Badeh is one those indicted in the $2.1 billion arms deal scam
– Other former and serving military chiefs are also under investigation
– Badeh has been granted bail but under stringent conditions
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, March 10, granted bail to the former chief of defense staff, Alex Badeh.
Badeh in a recent court appearance
Justice Okon Abang admitted the former chief of defense to bail with a bond of N1 billion.
Abang maintained that granting or refusing bail of an applicant is the discretion of the court.
He said the charges against the former defendant are bailable and that Badeh is innocent until proven otherwise.
He also said the objection by the prosecution that Badeh will interfere with witnesses (mainly his subordinates) if granted bail can be handled by the security agencies.
The bail conditions include the provision of two sureties to make available N1 billion each.
The sureties must also be owners of landed property in Abuja with certificates of occupancy which must be certified by the chief registrar of the court.
Abang also ordered the prosecution, EFCC to independently ascertain the residence of the sureties and genuineness of certificate of occupancy, the market value of the property and a ensure a tax clearance of three years from the sureties.
The sureties should also deposit two recent passport photographs, an affidavit of means which must be verified by the EFCC with 24 hours of presentation to court.
Although not present in court, Badeh is currently in Kuje prison custody.
He is accused of diverting public funds to the tune of $3.9 billion by the EFCC.
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