Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, faced damning allegations as a Second Prosecution Witness (PW2) testified on January 30, 2024, in the ongoing trial at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja. The witness, Kassim Yusuf, disclosed before Justice Yusuf Halilu that Bafarawa allegedly diverted a substantial sum of N4.6 billion, designated as security funds from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bafarawa on amended 25-count charges related to criminal breach of trust and the diversion of public funds amounting to N4.6 billion. Other defendants implicated in the case include Bashir Yuguda, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Dalhatu Investment Limited, and Sagir Attahiru.
Yusuf, an EFCC officer, presented evidence under the guidance of the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN. The court heard that the N4.6 billion security funds, received by Dalhatu Investment Limited from the former NSA’s office, were allegedly misappropriated for various purposes. These included sponsoring Sokoto State indigenes on Muslim pilgrimages, financing Bafarawa’s 2015 presidential campaign, settling overseas mortgages, and acquiring high-end vehicles such as Lexus, Toyota Hilux pickups, and 16 Peugeot 206 cars for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government chairmen in Sokoto State.
The PW2 detailed that a portion of the funds, approximately N1 billion, was distributed to around 10 Bureau De Change (BDC) operators for conversion to dollars. He disclosed, “About 10 BDCs said Dalhatu Investment Limited sent somebody to collect the money, and about N800 million was transferred to Dalhatu Investment Ltd’s domiciliary account to be converted to dollars.”
Furthermore, Yusuf revealed that Ambassador Abdullahi Wali received N5.8 million from Dalhatu Investment Ltd, funds reportedly released by Bafarawa for his 2015 Sokoto State gubernatorial aspirations. The witness linked various sums to political activities, Umra and Hajj allowances, hotel accommodation, flight tickets for pilgrims, and other political purposes involving key individuals.
The testimony also implicated Muazu Madawaki, Ahmed Yahya, Ibrahim Maigana, Musa Soba, and Amanze Obi in the alleged financial misappropriation. Notably, funds were transferred to the United Kingdom to offset a mortgage for Bafarawa, with the National Security Adviser, Major General Muhammad Mungonu, confirming that the monies were diverted without executing the intended projects.
Following the witness’s detailed account, Justice Halilu adjourned the trial until April 14, 2024, for its continuation. The allegations against Bafarawa shed light on the misuse of significant public funds and underscore the ongoing efforts to address corruption within the Nigerian political landscape.
