Security votes: Dasuki, NNPC GM shared N1.4bn ‘prayer’ money – Witness

Adariku Michael, a prosecution witness, has given graphic details of how N1.450 billion from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was allegedly diverted through a company belonging to a former General Manager at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-kusa.
Sambo Dasuki, Baba-kusa and Acacia Holdings are the 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants in the trial of alleged diversion of over N19 billion security votes, with a former Director of Finance and Administration at ONSA, Shuaibu Salisu and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited the other defendants
Michael, an Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC) investigating police officer in the case, said the money allegedly meant for organising national prayers for Nigeria was transferred in three tranches to the accounts of Acacia Holdings Limited with Ecobank and United Bank of Africa (UBA).
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness said the sum of N650 million was transferred from ONSA’s Zenith Bank account to Acacia Holdings account with Ecobank on April 17, 2015.
In his testimonial, the witness said, after reviewing the account statement of the company, it was discovered that the N650 million was transferred to various individuals and companies contrary to the purpose it was disbursed for.
Also, the witness said on April 20, 2015, a sum of N150million was transferred to the account of Baba-kusa, and that on April 22; another sum of N70million was transferred to one Jubril Abdullahi for purposes not stated.
The witness added that on the same April 22, an account transfer of N50million was forwarded to the account of Baba-kusa, while between May 4 and 6, 2015, another transfer of N150million was effected to a company, Medical Plastics Ltd found to be owned by the same Babakusa and his wife, Hauwa who is said to own 1.8 million shares in the company.
On 23/4/2015, N10.5million was transferred to Araucaria Farms Ltd; and N40 million was transferred to the Stanbic IBTC bank’s account of one Saleh Ibrahim; while N20 million was transferred to E.C. Associates Nig. Ltd.
He said that N1.5 million was transferred to the First Bank account of Babakusa’s wife, Hauwa; while ICICE Iftar Company and ICICE Mosque Support (owned by Babakusa) both with Jaiz Bank received N1.5 million each on 22/06/2015.
The witness further revealed that an analysis of the account of Acacia Holdings with UBA revealed that N200 million and N600 million were transferred to the account from ONSA’s account with Zenith Bank on October 9, 2014 and April 17, 2015.
While in the process of explaining how the sums were transferred to various individuals and companies, counsel to Acacia Holdings, Dr. ‘Biodun Layonu (SAN) raised an objection to the continuation of the testimony on the ground that the documents relating to the transactions were not clear.
He said most of the figures being quoted by the witness had been blanked out in the document in his possession.
The trial judge, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, acknowledged the objection and directed that the prosecution should make clearer copies available to the defendants before the next adjourned date.
He thereafter adjourned the trial to December 13 and 14, 2016.