SAN FRANCISCO, May 30, (THEWILL) – Six officers of the Nigerian Air Force have been handed various jail terms following the gruesome killing of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh.
The security aides were attached to the deceased retired chief, who died from gunshot wounds on December 18, 2018, when suspected kidnappers/bandits attacked his vehicle along Abuja-Keffi Road in Nasarawa State.
The Air Force personnel were Friday convicted and sentenced by the General Court Martial of the Air Force, which sat at the NAF Base in Abuja.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, identified the officers as Squadron Leader Tom Gwani, Flight Sergeant Amu David, Flight Sergeant Philemon Degema, Flight Sergeant Sabo Simon, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdullahi and Sergeant Alfred Alexander.
“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,” the statement said.
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