30th May, 2020
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Six Nigerian Air Force personnel, who were aides to the former Chief of Defence Staff, Late Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh have been jailed by a General Court Martial sitting in Abuja.
Badeh, who served as CDS under ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, was shot dead on December 18, 2018 by unknown gunmen, on Keffi-Abuja highway, while returning from his farm.
14 suspects were later arrested by the Nigerian Police Force, operatives of the Department of State Services, and the military in connection with the murder, who confessed that they were on a robbery and kidnapping operation.
However, six air force personnel who were attached to the former Chief of Defence Staff were on Friday awarded various sentences by the GCM which sat at the NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.
According to the NAF in a release on Saturday morning by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the convicted personnel are; Squadron Leader Tom Gwani, Flight Sergeant Amu David, Flight Sergeant Philemon Degema, Flight Sergeant Sabo Simon, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdullahi and Sergeant Alfred Alexander.
The NAF did not specify their jail terms but said four of the personnel were detailed to provide armed escort for the late CDS while the two others were detailed for guard duty at his house.
“Six NAF personnel, who were aides to the former CDS were awarded various sentences by the GCM sitting at the NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.
“The personnel were standing trial for various offences. Delivering his judgment, the President of the GCM, Air Commodore David Aluku, pronounced the six accused personnel guilty of various charges.
“These included their failure to perform military duties, by absconding from the convoy of the deceased former CDS, while it came under attack, as well as conduct to the prejudice of service discipline, for giving false statements.
“The charges against the accused also included other civil offences of criminal conspiracy and miscellaneous offences relating to property, for illegally disposing of 79 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition issued for the protection of the late CDS, among others.
“While pleading in mitigation, the Defence Counsels urged the court to show leniency, describing the accused persons as first-time offenders. The sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority,” Daramola, stated in a release.