A witness from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court how ₦4.6 billion allocated for security equipment, from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the administration of former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), was diverted to political campaigns and pilgrimages.
The second prosecution witness, testifying before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the federal capital territory high court, Maitama, Kazeem Yusuf, said the contracts linked to the money were never executed.
Yusuf was giving evidence in the ongoing trial of former minister of state for finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; former Sokoto state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Sagir Bafarawa; former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.); and Dalhatu Investment Limited, owned by the Bafarawas.
The defendants face a 25-count amended charge including misappropriation, breach of trust, and receiving stolen government funds.
Led in testimony by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the investigator told the court that official responses from ONSA confirmed the contracts were awarded for the supply of military hardware but later found to be unexecuted.
According to him, bank records showed that instead of being deployed for defence procurement, the money was allegedly channeled to various beneficiaries and activities, including sponsorship of pilgrims to Makkah, political mobilization, and the 2015 presidential and gubernatorial campaigns.
He said Sagir Bafarawa provided a breakdown of expenditures when interrogation began, detailing payments to political and religious organizations as well as security agencies allegedly engaged to monitor elections.
Among the beneficiaries were Sheikh AbdurRahman Al-Sudais Foundation, reportedly chaired by former governor Bafarawa, which received ₦500 million, and 2015 Sokoto People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Abdallah Wali, alleged to have received ₦580 million through a corporate account.
At the close of testimony, both prosecution and defence agreed to adjourn for cross-examination.
Justice Halilu set December 9 and 10 for continuation of the trial.
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