IN line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive of January 15, 2016, investigators from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday questioned former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) retired Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh over his alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms scam.
A presidential committee auditing arms purchases since 2007 had in an interim report found 17 military officers including Badeh complicit in the arms scam.
It was on this basis that President Muhammadu Buhari recently forwarded their names to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution of those found culpable.
Badeh who has been on an administrative bail was asked to report back to the commission on Monday, February 8.
Badeh had reported to the commission early yesterday following a formal invitation to him on Tuesday by the EFCC. He is being investigated in connection with the $2 billion and another N29 billion contract scam that allegedly occurred at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) between 2014 and 2015.
Badeh held office as Chief of Air Staff before his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff. This investigation is part of a larger investigation into the arms procurement that took place at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.