A former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex
Badeh was on Monday sent back to prison because the judge, Justice Okon Abang,
held that his application for bail was premature.
Badeh had pleaded not guilty to the 10-count charge filed
against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the
Federal High Court in Abuja.
He was however ordered to be remanded at Kuje prison by the
trial judge, Justice Okon Abang pending the determination of his bail
application which was fixed for March 10.
Badeh was arraigned for alleged fraud relating to the
diversion of N3.9 billion meant for the purchase of arms for the Nigerian
military.
His counsel, Samuel Zibiri (SAN), made an attempt to argue
his bail application which the court held was premature in view of the fact
that it was filed before the arraignment.
Justice Okon Abang in his ruling held that the application
for bail filed by Badeh was not competent because it was filed before his
arraignment and the court could only have jurisdiction to hear the application
after his arraignment.
The court then struck out the motion and ordered that a
fresh bail application be filed.
On the order of the court, Badeh would remain in Kuje Prison
pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
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