How First Bank Manager Helped Ex- Defence Chief Lodge $752, 000 Into A Special Account

A Relationship Manager of First Bank, Fatima Dauda, on Monday told a Federal
High Court how she assisted former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, opened and lodged the sum of $752,000 into a special account.


Mrs Dauda who is the Prosecution Witness in the on-going trial of massive corruption allegations against explained to the Court that she opened a Visa Gold Account where she deposited the amount for the former Chief of Defence Staff between June 2013 and October 2013.

She told the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang when led in evidence by the Prosecution Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, O.A. Atolagbe.

The bank official explained that an initial deposit of $50,000 was made into the account in two instalments by Mr. Badeh’s officers.

The witness said that she personally filled the deposit teller and wrote her name on it and that “$702, 000 was paid into the account between June 13, 2013 and October 24, 2013” by Mr. Badeh and a third party.

According to her, she has been working as Relationship Manager with the First Bank since 2011 and became the Account Officer of Mr. Badeh in 2012 when the account was opened.

Her job schedule includes marketing and securing customers as well as managing the relationship with her client and the bank.

She further told the court that the EFCC in May this year, requested for information regarding Mr. Badeh’s account which the bank obliged.

The witness said that the information released to the EFCC included certificate of identification, vouchers, statement of account and other relevant documents.

The documents were admitted in evidence as exhibit F1 to exhibit F15.

Mr. Atolagbe pleaded with the court to permit a detailed explanation of some of the exhibits by the witness without any objection from the defence counsel, Akinlolu Olujinmi.

“The witness recognises some of the documents, part of which is in the investigation process addressed to Head of Operations, EFCC and bearing Alex Badeh as account holder.

“Other exhibits are also acknowledged by the witness as Application Form, Letter of Exemption from Payment of Utility Bills and documents showing cash deposits by the first defendant, all bearing Alex Badeh,” the prosecutor said.

Justice Abang granted the request by prosecution counsel for more time to collate other evidences and adjourned continuation of hearing until November 17.