How ex-Sokoto gov, Bafarawa, diverted N4.6bn from ONSA, EFCC witness tells court

In the Sokoto State trial of Attahiru Bafarawa, a former governor, Kassim Yusuf, a second prosecution witness, PW2, described to Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Circuit Court on Tuesday how the former governor embezzled an astounding N4.6 billion that he was given 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 Mr Bafarawa on amended 25-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and diversion of public funds to the tune of N4.6 billion.

Other defendants in the case are, Bashir Yuguda, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Dalhatu Investment Limited and Sagir Attahiru.

According to a statement by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the witness who is an officer of the EFCC, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that N4.6billion security funds received by Dalhatu Investment Limited from the ONSA were used to sponsor Sokoto State indigenes on Muslim pilgrimage

He added that part of the fund was also used to finance Mr Bafarawa’s 2015 presidency quest, as well as offset his overseas mortgage, and acquisition of expensive vehicles comprising 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 N1billion 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,” he said.

The witness further revealed that Amb. Abdullahi Wali received the sum of N5580million from Dalhatu Investment Ltd, which Mr Bafarawa released to him for his 2015 Sokoto State gubernatorial aspiration