At the resumed criminal trial of embattled former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, at a Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, a prosecution witness, Mustapha Yerima, told the court how Badeh contracted him to construct a N1.3 billion to construct a building at Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The witness, who is the Managing Director of Ryte Builders Nigeria Limited, while being led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, said that his company constructed the building and also played a role in the purchase of the land.
He said: “my company to negotiate on a land at Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, owned by one Fayose Ayodele who then sold to one Tony”.
“We met with Tony who directed us to Kassagrove Ltd and after deliberations named their price in the sum of N650m but to be paid in dollar equivalent.
“After purchasing the land, I asked Yushua in whose name the project would be executed and he responded that it should be executed in the name of our company Ryte Builders Nig Ltd, which will later be transferred to another company’s name after he had discussed with his boss.”
“We gave him an estimate of N1.3billion, but Yushua complained that it was on the high side and we later gave him estimate of N1.2 billion.”
He further explained: “We told him to prepare a milestone payment. The first stage was N480 million, which he paid the dollar equivalent, after which construction started.”
Yerima noted that they were called to meeting where he was informed that his payment will be paid by the Nigeria Air Force. He was thereafter introduced to the new Camp Financial Officer, Group Captain M. L. Simi.
“We were later paid N860m-N880m and when we were about to exhaust the money paid at that time, we realized that there were a couple of things not part of the bill, we raised the alarm and informed Yushua.
“We then met with Badeh at Defence House and explained to him that two main lift and one service lift was omitted which amounts to N97 million for the three lifts.
“We further gave him an additional bill for fluctuation of price and other dues in the sum of N54 million.”
The case was adjourned to May 24, by the presiding judge, Justice Abang.
