Alex Badeh: The price of corruption
“If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us.”
– Muhammadu Buhari
Last night when the news of ex CDS Alex Badeh’s murder was broken, I did not immediately believe it. But when I saw the same report on the website of reputable media houses, I knew that the incident wasn’t fake. Nigeria is a theatre of absurdity and we live in strange times. It could have been an advanced version of Dino Melaye’s 11 hours on the tree top drama.
Later when I saw the unfortunate pictures of his lifeless body lying helplessly in his car, I knew that Alex Badeh had been assassinated by yet to be identified assailants. Therefore, I wish to express my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
One of my best friend’s favorite quotes, back in our undergraduate days is, “If you shy away from your responsibilities, you can never escape its consequences.” And while many Nigerians are busy accusing government of not doing enough to protect citizens, with some wondering what the fate of the ordinary citizen would be, if ex military chiefs could be killed like chickens (General Alikali and now Badeh), I chose to look at the bigger picture instead.
Alex Badeh, to me is a victim of the monster that he helped create and nurture. The guy allegedly stole money meant to buy arms to combat terror and criminality. He was standing trial before an Abuja Federal High Court and would have on January 16, 2019 opened his defence in the alleged N3.97 billion fraud charge proferred against him by the federal government.
Whether he diverted the money alone or in connivance with others, that 3.97 billion naira could have been put to better use to combat crimes and terrorism. Remember also that the EFCC in February last year had admitted before the court that it found $1m cash inside of Badeh’s bedroom.
Nothing justifies his murder, as he’s by law innocent until proven guilty, but Badeh clearly abused his office to enrich himself at the expense of the security of the nation. Now, the chickens have come home to roost. It’s unfortunate. The Mubi born Air Force chief did nothing to protect his own people in Mubi when Boko Haram struck in November 2014. In fact, an unverified media account claimed that he moved his family in a helicopter a few hours before the attack. This claim was later debunked by DHQ.
As we mourn the exit of Badeh, I hope that all other persons occupying public positions and privileges will learn that the price of corruption is too high to pay. Today, the Boko Haram menace still stares us in the face as though monies were not budgeted and released for military wares. Over $2.1 meant to purchase arms was allegedly diverted by the NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
Public officials, whether elected or appointed, who are abusing their offices should know that the monster they helped create today will, sooner or later come back to haunt them and their children.
Our health sector is in terrible state. Poor citizens are dying of ailments that could have been treated here if government had provided the needed facilities. The rich elite jet out of the country to seek treatment over minor head or toothache. Plying the AbujaKaduna highway has become synonymous with suicide. Bandits and kidnappers have almost taken over the forests between Sokoto and Zamfara. No where seems to be safe again in this country. Yet, the only thing on the minds of the ruling elites is the next general elections!!!
But like the popular saying goes, the chickens will always come home to roost.