The murdered former chief of defence staff. Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh met with Aisha Buhari, the first lady of Nigeria and the chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari three weeks before his brutal assassination.
According to a report by Punch, the former chief of defence staff met with Mrs. Buhari over his trial for corruption seeking her intervention over in his trial over alleged fraud and money laundering.
Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh was murdered by “unknown gunmen” along Abuja-Keffi Road on Tuesday as he returned from his farm.
According to the report, the murdered top military boss sought Aisha Buhari’s “intervention in his legal troubles which were reportedly taking an emotional and financial toll on him”.
A close associate of the deceased claimed that he confided in him that Mrs. Buhari told Badeh that only Kyari could help him.
“Badeh stated that Aisha Buhari then took him to Kyari, but the COS was non-committal. He asked the ex-CDS to call him back, but he (Kyari) was unreachable since the meeting which took place about three weeks ago,” the source, a former paramilitary officer, said.
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will not spare Badeh’s properties despite his passing.
An EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the anti-graft agency was determined to pursue the ongoing trial to a conclusive end and recover all illegally acquired properties by the deceased.
Acting spokesman for the EFCC, Tony Orilade, could not be reached by our correspondent for his reaction to the issue as of the time of filing this report on Friday.
Garba Shehu, one of the spokesperson of President Muhammadu, did not respond immediately to a request for comment. A text message sent to him was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.
Photos from the scene of the assassination of former Air Chief, Marshall Alex Badeh [GRAPHIC PHOTOS]
Additional reports by Punch.
