N10m Bribe: EFCC Docks AVM Kayode-Beckley

Air Vice Marshal John Adeniyi Kayode-Beckley was arraigned on on Wednesday, June 29 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Olubunmi Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja on one count charge of bribery to the tune of N10million (ten million naira).

AVM Beckley while serving as the Director of Armament with the Nigerian Airforce allegedly collected the sum of N10million as gratification from a contractor, one Mr. Hima Abubakar, of Societe D’Equipments Internationaux Nig. Ltd.

One of the charges reads:
“That you, AVM John Adeniyi Kayode-Beckley whilst serving as Director of Armament, Nigerian Air Force, sometime in 2015 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did accept a gift in the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) from one Mr. Hima Abubakar of Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nig Ltd, a contractor with the Nigerian Air Force in performance of your official act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 17(c) of the same act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Cosmas Ugwu asked the court for a date for trial. But, counsel to the accused person, Y. Maikarfi urged the court to grant the accused to bail, stating that the accused person had always been present when called upon.

Ugwu kicked on the basis that the accused is on the verge of retirement and therefore may abscond.

Justice Banjoko after listening to both arguments, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N10million (ten million naira) with two sureties in like sum. The sureties may be ordinary citizens resident in Abuja.

The case has been adjourned to September 27, 2016 for trial. [EFCC]