A group of concerned citizens has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial mismanagement, abuse of office, and breach of civil service rules by the Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr.
The petition, submitted by the Concerned Citizen and Whistleblower Initiative and signed by its National Secretary, Comrade Ayo Adedeji, calls for a thorough investigation into the activities of Capt. Badeh Jr. since his appointment on December 13, 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Capt.
Badeh Jr., the son of former Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, assumed office on December 19, 2023. The group alleges that his tenure has been marked by unethical practices, financial recklessness, and violation of procurement rules.
According to the petition, Capt. Badeh Jr. allegedly awarded contracts to cronies, inflated project costs, recruited inexperienced contract staff, ignored minimum wage rules, and engaged in contract splitting. The petition also claims that government vehicles were diverted for personal use, sensitive positions were given to facilitate fund diversion, and several properties worth hundreds of millions of naira were acquired within months of assuming office.
Specific allegations include inflated salaries and overseas trips for contract staff. The petition cites Miss Chidalu Thelka Edeh, a 2019 graduate of Ebonyi State University and 2021 graduate of the Nigerian Law School, who was recruited in 2024 and reportedly earns ₦1,000,000 monthly. Another staff, Mrs. Wuraola Emivhalu Awosemo, allegedly brought in under secondment from NSITF at grade level 9, was placed on grade 14 with benefits. Many newly recruited staff were also reportedly assigned high entry-level grades ranging from 10 to 15.
The group also pointed to multiple instances of alleged procurement violations. They claimed that contracts for a multi-modal workshop (₦482,564,813), NSIB maintenance laboratory rehabilitation (₦810,066,437.23), and establishment of a duplicate Accident Investigation Mobile Office (₦844,648,417) were inflated. They also allege over ₦200 million spent on intercom facilities, ₦25 million on roof repairs, and ₦256 million on office partitioning. Duplicate renovations and other repeated contracts allegedly totalled over ₦600 million.
Comrade Ayo Adedeji said, “We cannot allow the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to be run aground. The diversion of public funds, contract inflation, and abuse of office under Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. are unacceptable. We urge EFCC, ICPC, and other relevant agencies to investigate fully and hold all involved accountable.”
The petition further accuses Capt. Badeh Jr. of diverting government vehicles for personal use. “A Toyota Tundra procured for accident investigation under the Mobile Towable Van Project has been diverted for the DG’s personal use. Duplicate contracts at inflated sums appear to cover such diversions,” the petition states.
The Concerned Citizen and Whistleblower Initiative also raised concerns over the alleged acquisition of high-value properties by Capt. Badeh Jr. and his aide, Capt. Bunmi Gindeh, including a mansion at Zone B, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, with others reportedly in Kado and Maitama. The group insists these purchases are inconsistent with official income and point to possible misappropriation of public funds.
Comrade Adedeji added, “We will not allow Capt. Badeh Jr. and his cohorts to continue these practices. Every allegation in this petition is aimed at protecting public resources and ensuring transparency and accountability at NSIB. The anti-graft agencies must act swiftly.”
The petitioners have urged EFCC, ICPC, and other relevant authorities to investigate all allegations, prosecute offenders where necessary, and restore integrity to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
