Alex Enumah in Abuja
The third prosecution witness (PW3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Useni Umar, in the ongoing trial of the former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Air Marshall Alex Badeh (rtd), over allegation of corruption wednesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that Badeh gave out the sum $6.2million in two tranches for the purchase of a property at No. 6 Ogun River street, Maitama, Abuja.
The witness, an Estate Survey manager, said Badeh instructed that the sum of $6.2million be released in two tranches within the period of two weeks for the purchase of the property located at no 6, Ogun River Close Maitama, Abuja after they had carried out a joint inspection on the property and Badeh was satisfied.
Umar told the court that after he got an instruction from Air Commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushau to get a ‘beautiful’ edifice-a retiring home for Badeh-he inspected four other properties together with Yushau.
The prosecution witness who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob (SAN), said: “When I got the instruction from Yushau, the first inspection was carried out between me and Yushau.
“The second inspection was carried out between me, Badeh and Yushau while the third and fourth inspection was a joint one by me, Badeh, his wife, his son, Sam, and daughter.
“It was after the joint inspection of the property that Badeh, having being satisfied with the property, instructed that the sum of $6.2milion be paid in two tranches for the property.”
Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), the witness said he did not state in his statement at the EFCC that they inspected four properties before Yushau chose the one on Ogun River Street because he was giving a summary of his statement to the EFCC.
On whether he was aware that Yushau had told the court in his testimony that they inspected only three properties, the witness said he was telling the court what he knew about the transaction and not what Yushau told the court.
“I do not know that Yushau told the court that we inspected three properties, what I know is that we inspected four.
“The first inspection was carried out by me and Yushau
“I told the court what happened, which is my own side of the story. It was after the fourth joint inspection, where all of them were happy with the property, that Yushau gave me the go ahead to negotiate with the property owners,” he said.
According to Umar, “That aspect of them being happy with the property was not included in my statement but the issue of approval and negotiation is there in my statement.
“It was Yushau who gave me the go ahead to negotiate with the owners of the property.”
Olujimi thereafter prayed the court for a one-day adjournment to enable him get the required materials for proper cross-examination.
Justice Okon Abang thereby adjourned the case to 12 noon today for further cross-examination of the witness.
