The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria’s chapter of Transparency International, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged diversion of N36.9 billion from a Kogi State security account, urging anti-corruption agencies to recover any misappropriated public funds and prosecute those found culpable.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), CISLAC said financial intelligence findings available to the organisation indicated possible large-scale diversion, misappropriation and abuse of funds linked to the management of security-related accounts in the state.
According to the group, a Kogi State Security Operation Account reportedly received more than N36.9 billion within a nine-month period from the state government. Preliminary findings, it said, showed that about N23.7 billion was transferred to Real Striker Finance Limited, while additional billions of naira were allegedly disbursed to individuals and corporate entities without clear public justification.
CISLAC identified some of the beneficiaries as Abdullahi Ayisat Omonale, Peter Enehezeyi Ozavize, Dange Security Patrol and G and T Motors Nigeria Limited, alleging that transfers to private individuals and entities exceeded N12.53 billion during the period under review.
The organisation expressed concern over reports that Real Striker Finance Limited was established shortly after the election of the current administration and was allegedly linked to politically exposed persons, including a former security adviser to ex-Governor Yahaya Bello. It alleged that the company received substantial transfers from the security account and subsequently made significant cash withdrawals and transfers to other companies and individuals.
“These allegations, if established through an independent investigation, point to a disturbing pattern of possible misuse of public resources intended for critical security interventions at a time when citizens continue to face severe security challenges,” CISLAC said.
The organisation urged 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 immediately investigate all transactions linked to the Kogi State Security Operation Account and related beneficiary accounts.
Among its demands are a forensic audit of the account, investigation of Real Striker Finance Limited and its ownership structure, public disclosure of all beneficiaries, recovery of diverted funds and prosecution of all persons or entities found responsible, irrespective of political affiliation.
CISLAC also called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and relevant Kogi State officials to cooperate fully with investigators and provide complete transparency regarding the management of public funds.
The group further renewed its call for reforms to Nigeria’s security vote system, describing it as one of the weakest links in the country’s public finance management framework due to the absence of adequate legal, reporting and oversight mechanisms.
It maintained that greater transparency and accountability in security-related spending were necessary to prevent abuse and ensure public resources serve their intended purpose.
