How Bafarawa Diverted N4.6bn From ONSA, Witness Narrates In Court

An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kassim Yusuf, who is a Second Prosecution Witness in the trial of a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, on Tuesday, narrated before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court, Abuja, how Bafarawa diverted N4.6 billion he received as security fund from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, (ONSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

The ex-governor is facing 25-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, and diversion of public funds to the tune of N4.6 billion brought against him by the EFCC.

Others standing trial with him in the case are: Bashir Yuguda, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Dalhatu Investment Limited and Sagir Attahiru.

Testifying in court today, the witness told Justice Yusuf Halilu that N4.6billion security funds received by Dalhatu Investment Limited, ONSA, Colonel Dasuki were used to sponsor Sokoto State indigenes on Muslim pilgrimage and finance Bafarawa’s 2015 presidency quest.

He also said the fund was used to offset his overseas mortgage, and acquisition of expensive vehicles.

He mentioned the vehicles to include: Lexus, Toyota Hilux pickups and 16 Peugeot 206 cars for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government chairmen in the state.

The PW2 further revealed that N1bn was given out from the sum to about 10 Bureau De Change (BDC) operators for conversion to dollars.

“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.

“Funds were paid to a company called Development Strategy International Ltd. The directors of the company are Islam Wali and Muhammad Wali who are cousins to Ambassador Abdullahi Wali,” Yusuf said.

He also revealed that Ambassador Abdullahi Wali received the sum of N5580 million from Dalhatu Investment Ltd, which Bafarawa released to him for his 2015 Sokoto State gubernatorial aspiration.

He said: “The Lexus that was purchased was bought by Dalhatu Investment for Abdullahi Wali’s election. Muazu Madawaki who received N322 Million was also invited.

“He told the investigation team that the money was for payment for Umrah and Hajj allowances, hotel accommodation and flight tickets for some Sokoto State pilgrims.

“Ahmed Yahya received N327 million and when he was invited he said the money was for political activities. He is the personal assistant to Bafarawa. Ibrahim Maigana received N111million from Dalhatu Investment for political activities in Sokoto State. He was the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at that time. One Musa Soba received 85 million on behalf of nine aspirants in the state for the House of Representatives,” he said.

Yusuf also said one Muhammad Gambol supplied the Toyota Hilux pickups and 16 Peugeot 206 for the political campaigns of Ambassador Wali.

He said: “I recovered about 14 of those PDP local government chairmen’s cars. One Amanze Obi received the sum of N15.3 million for political publicity for Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa Presidential campaign.

“About £123,000 were transferred to the United Kingdom to offset a mortgage for Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa. We wrote back to the National Security Adviser, Major General Muhammad Mungonu and he confirmed that the monies were simply diverted without executing the project.”

Justice Halilu adjourned the matter till April 14, 2024 for continuation of trial thereafter.