The prosecution witness, Air Commodore Abdullahi Yushau had during a cross examination on Thursday told the Federal High Court Abuja that the former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, authorised transfer of funds he later diverted for his personal use.
Yushau, a retired Director of Finance and Account of the Nigerian Air force said, “No money goes out of the accounts of Nigerian Airforce without the authorization of the Chief of Staff.
“When documents of transactions are sent to the Chief of Airstaff, he usually authorized them.”
Salisu told the court that, “the balance of the salaries and allowances of personnel of the Nigerian Air force was used for the servicing of the office of the Chief of Air Staff.”
This gives more clarity to his earlier testimony in which he told the court that money meant for personnel allowances and salaries was converted into dollars and he personally delivered the money to Badeh in his then official residence inside Niger Barracks.
He had said, “What is remaining is usually about N1.6bn and N1.7bn, out of which, the sum of N558,200,000 was usually taken to Badeh’s official residence at the Niger barracks in Abuja.”
The witness also stated that the N558,200,000 was under the “control of Badeh which he usually give approval for, so it could be exchanged into US dollars and taken to his official residence.”
Justice Okon Abang adjourned the matter till April 8 for cross examination of witness.
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