Probe N36.9bn Kogi security fund transfers, CISLAC tells EFCC, ICPC

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Nigeria’s chapter of Transparency International, has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of more than N36.9 billion from a security account operated by the Kogi State Government.

The anti-corruption organisation expressed concern over what it described as disturbing financial intelligence findings suggesting large-scale abuse of public funds earmarked for security interventions in the state.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa-Rafsanjani, CISLAC said preliminary findings indicated that the account, identified as the Kogi State Security Operation Account, received over N36.9 billion within a nine-month period from the state’s government revenue account.

According to the organisation, about N23.7 billion from the account was allegedly transferred to a finance company, Real Striker Finance Limited, while billions of naira were also reportedly disbursed to various individuals and private entities without clear public justification.

The group alleged that beneficiaries of the transactions included individuals and companies such as Abdullahi Ayisat Omonale, Peter Enehezeyi Ozavize, Dange Security Patrol, and G and T Motors Nigeria Limited, among others.

It stated that records available to it suggested that transfers to individuals and corporate entities exceeded N12.53 billion during the period under review.

CISLAC said the revelations were particularly troubling given its long-standing advocacy on the management of security votes and intervention funds across the country.

“For over a decade, CISLAC/TI Nigeria has tracked the administration of security votes at federal and state levels and consistently raised concerns over the absence of transparency, accountability, and oversight mechanisms governing these expenditures,” the statement said.

The organisation noted that its previous findings had exposed systemic weaknesses that enabled the diversion of public resources under the guise of security spending.

Of particular concern, according to CISLAC, are reports that Real Striker Finance Limited was established shortly after the election of the current administration in Kogi State and is allegedly linked to politically exposed persons, including a former security adviser to ex-Governor Yahaya Bello.

The organisation alleged that the company received substantial transfers from the state security account and subsequently distributed significant sums through cash withdrawals and transfers to several companies and individuals.

It further claimed that some beneficiaries of the funds were allegedly connected to politically exposed persons and individuals linked to previous administrations.

While stressing that investigations were still ongoing, CISLAC maintained that the transactions raised serious questions about accountability in the management of public funds designated for security operations.

The organisation warned that if the allegations were substantiated, they would reveal a troubling pattern of misuse of resources intended to address insecurity at a time when residents of the state continue to face kidnapping, killings and other security threats.

Consequently, CISLAC urged anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, to launch a comprehensive investigation into all transactions linked to the security account.

Among its demands, the group called for a forensic audit of all inflows and outflows from the account, investigation into the ownership and operations of Real Striker Finance Limited, public disclosure of all ultimate beneficiaries, recovery of any diverted funds, and prosecution of all persons found culpable regardless of their political status.

CISLAC also renewed its call for broader reforms of Nigeria’s security vote system, describing it as one of the weakest areas in the country’s public finance management framework.

The organisation argued that despite the enormous sums allocated annually as security votes, the absence of legal frameworks, public reporting requirements and independent oversight had created opportunities for corruption and abuse.

Citing its report titled Camouflaged Cash: How Security Votes Fuel Corruption in Nigeria, CISLAC advocated either the abolition or comprehensive restructuring of the security vote system through legislation that would establish clear budgeting procedures, expenditure guidelines and accountability mechanisms.

The group also recommended the creation of independent oversight structures for confidential security expenditures, increased public awareness on the risks of opaque security spending, and the strengthening of transparent Security Trust Funds as alternatives to discretionary security votes.

The organisation further called on Ahmed Usman Ododo and relevant officials of the Kogi State Government to cooperate fully with investigators and provide complete transparency regarding the management of security-related funds.

It also criticised the Kogi State House of Assembly, saying the allegations highlighted the legislature’s inability to provide effective oversight of public spending, particularly at a time when security challenges in the state remain a major concern.

“The fight against corruption must remain non-partisan and consistent. No public official, past or present, should be shielded from scrutiny where credible evidence of financial misconduct exists,” CISLAC stated.

The organisation insisted that Nigerians deserved accountability, especially regarding resources allocated for security and public welfare, and vowed to continue monitoring developments while advocating transparency and justice in the management of public funds.

According to CISLAC, the allegations underscore the urgent need to reform Nigeria’s security funding architecture to ensure that public resources serve the public interest rather than private enrichment.