Abuja – A prosecution witness, Air Commodore Sunday  Makinde, on Tuesday told an Abuja High Court that he was not satisfied with the contracts awarded by Committee for Procurement under the Ministry of Defence.

Makinde, Secretary of Procurement Planning Committee, Nigeria Air Force  from 2014 to 2015 made this known at the commencement of the  trial of retired AVM Alkali Mawu, on Wednesday.

Mawu is standing trial on a three-count charge of receiving gratification.

He allegedly collected a cash gift of N5.9 million for the purchase of a Range Rover Evoque, 300,000 dollars and two vehicles, Ford Expedition SUV and Jaguar XF Saloon, valued N15 million and N12million, respectively from Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Ltd.,  a contractor with the Nigerian Air Force.

Makinde, the first prosecution witness (PW1), told the court under cross examination by Counsel to the defendant, Mr Joesph  Daudu (SAN),  that he was not satisfied with the contract because it was not in the budget.

He also told the court that he had to confirm from the then Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Adeshola Amosun, who directed him to issue the two letters.

The letters were for procurement of military hardware dated Jan. 13, 2015 and May 18, for the overhaul of military helicopter.

The two letters and his statement to EFCC were tendered in evidence.

Makinde told the court that he was not the one that neither gave gratification nor was it done through him.

Also, Mr Musa Kishimi, Abuja branch manager Cocharis Motor Ltd., told the court that the Managing Director,  Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Ltd., Mr Hama Abubakar, gave them instructions.

Kishimi said Abubakar, who was a long standing customer requested the company to transfer the credit balance of his account to meet the outstanding payment of a Range Rover Evoque valued N15.2 million.

According to the witness Abubakar’s outstanding balance is N9.9 millions.

The witness said Abubakar also made two other requests for additional two cars a Jaguar SUV valued N12.5 million and Ford Expedition valued N15 millions to be delivered to Mrs Lami Mawu.

He said he had been working with the company since 2007 till date.

The Prosecuting counsel, Mr Slyvanus Tahir, brought in a third witness but was opposed by Daudu.

Daudu informed the court that the witness did not have witness statement on oath and could not testify unless he was just here to submit the documents.

He said without the statement he could not cross examine the witness.

Tahir then applied for an adjournment to enable them file and serve the statement.

The judge Justice Salisu Garba, after listening to their submissions adjourned till Nov. 28 for further hearing.