CISLAC seeks probe of alleged N36.9bn Kogi security fund diversion

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Nigerian chapter of Transparency International, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged diversion and misappropriation of N36.9 billion from a Kogi State security account, urging anti-corruption agencies to recover any funds found to have been illegally diverted. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, […]

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Nigerian chapter of Transparency International, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged diversion and misappropriation of N36.9 billion from a Kogi State security account, urging anti-corruption agencies to recover any funds found to have been illegally diverted.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), CISLAC said financial intelligence reports available to the organisation indicated that the Kogi State Security Operation Account received over N36.9 billion within a nine-month period from the state government.
Rafsanjani said preliminary findings suggest that about N23.7 billion was transferred to a finance company, Real Striker Finance Limited, while billions of naira were allegedly disbursed to individuals and private companies without clear public justification.
The organisation said beneficiaries identified in the records include individuals and firms such as Abdullahi Ayisat Omonale, Peter Enehezeyi Ozavize, Dange Security Patrol and G and T Motors Nigeria Limited, among others.
“Available records suggest that transfers to individuals and private entities exceeded N12.53 billion during the period under review,” the statement said.
CISLAC expressed concern that Real Striker Finance Limited was reportedly established shortly after the election of the current administration and allegedly linked to politically exposed persons, including a former security adviser to ex-Governor Yahaya Bello.
It said the transactions, if confirmed through an independent investigation, would indicate “a disturbing pattern of possible misuse of public resources intended for critical security interventions.”
The organisation called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other relevant agencies to launch an immediate forensic investigation into the account and all related transactions.
It also demanded the identification and public disclosure of all beneficiaries of the funds, recovery of diverted resources and prosecution of anyone found culpable regardless of political affiliation.
The group urged Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and relevant Kogi State officials to cooperate fully with investigators and provide transparency on the management of public funds.