Air
Marshal Alex Badeh
Late
Air
Marshal Alex Badeh
Late Badeh Losses Properties, $1mn Cash to
Govt
Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered
the forfeiture of a property situated at No. 6 Ogun River Street,
off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, traced the late Air Chief
Marshal, Alex Badeh, and $1 million, recovered from the property to
the Federal Government.
Also ordered forfeited, are a shopping mall situated at Plot
1386, Oda Crescent, Cadastral Zone, Wuse II; a duplex located at
No. 19, Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II; a duplex located at No. 14 Adzope
Crescent, off Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II; a semi-detached duplex at
No. 8A Embu Street by Sigma Apartments Wuse II, all in Abuja.
Until his unfortunate death on December 18, 2018, the late Badeh
was being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, along with his company, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited
for charges bordering on abuse of office, money laundering, and
converting public funds to personal use amounting to about N3.9
billion.
They were standing trial for an amended 14-count charge, to
which a “not guilty” plea was taken.
Justice Abang had at the last adjourned sitting on February 26,
2019 fixed today, March 4, 2019 for the company to open its
defence.
At the resumed sitting, prosecuting counsel, O.A. Atolagbe,
informed the court that based on an agreement reached between the
prosecution and the defence, there was a further amended charge of
10 counts before the court and a plea bargain agreement.
“We filed a further amended charge dated March 1, which was
filed on March 4, and also a plea bargain agreement with regards to
provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,” he said,
and asked that the new charges be read in open court.
A “guilty” plea was thereafter, entered for the second
defendant, following which Atolagbe, urged to court to enter
judgement based on the plea bargain agreement.
He further prayed the court to order the final forfeiture of the
said properties affected in counts one to 10 of the amended
charges, and that the defendant be convicted and wound up with
respect to the plea bargain agreement and Section 19 of the Money
Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
While ruling that “all processes against the first defendant who
was reported dead, are hereby terminated”, Justice Abang further
ordered the forfeiture of the said properties.
“Having regards to the plea bargain agreement duly executed by
the parties, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited is hereby wound up and the
judgement shall be served on the Corporate Affairs Commission for
execution,” the trial judge added.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
……………………………..
EFCC Docks Banker For Alleged N81.7m Theft
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal
Office, on Monday, March 4, 2019, arraigned a banker, Oladimeji
Balogun, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences
Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a four-count charge bordering on
stealing to the tune of N81,720, 000.00 (Eighty-one Million, Seven
Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) only.
One of the counts reads, “That you, Oladimeji Balogun, sometime
between May 30 and June 2018 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of
this honourable court, dishonestly converted to the use of Balogun
Zainab Omohomo, the sum of N35, 000, 000. 00 (Thirty-five Million
Naira) only, being the property of Finni Oluwakemi and committed an
offence contrary to Sections 278 and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of
Lagos State No. 11, 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty to the charges. In view of his plea, the
prosecution counsel, A. Mohammed, asked the court for a trial date
and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison
custody.
The defence counsel, Adekunle Oyesanya, SAN, however, informed
the court of a pending bail application on behalf of his client,
and prayed the court to grant Balogun bail. Justice Taiwo granted
the defendant bail in the sum of N10, 000, 000. (Ten Million Naira)
with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must own a landed property in Lagos. The
other surety must be a close relation of the defendant, must be
gainfully employed and produce three years tax clearance
certificate.
The defendant was remanded in prison custody, pending the
fulfilment of his bail terms. The matter was adjourned to April 9,
2019 for commencement of trial.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity