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The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (retd), to the tune of N2billion.
Badeh is facing trial over allegation that he diverted about N3.9billion from accounts of the Nigerian Air Force within 2013.
In a ruling this afternoon, trial Justice Okon Abang said he was minded to exercise his discretion in favour of the erstwhile military chief who has been in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since February 8.
Placing reliance on section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which presumes an accused person innocent, Justice Abang, granted Badeh bail to the tune of N2bn with two sureties who are to deposit N1bn each.
According to the court, the sureties must not only be resident in Abuja, but must own landed properties in the Federal Capital Territory with a valid Certificate of Occupancy. It stressed that the Chief Registrar of the court must authenticate the ownership and value of the properties.