Dasuki diverted N1.4bn for national prayer, says EFCC

Michael Adariku, an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has told an Abuja high court that Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), spent N1.4 billion on national prayer.

Dasuki is standing trial for alleged diversion of $2.1 billion, funds reportedly earmarked to fight the insurgency in the north-east.

Also standing trial alongside the former NSA are Shuaibu Salisu, director of finance, office of the NSA, and Aminu Baba-Kusam, an executive director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), amongst others.

At the court on Thursday, Adariku said the diversion was made through Acacia Holdings Limited, a company owned by Baba-Kusa.

He said the company was credited with the sum from the accounts of ONSA purportedly for a prayer to be organised for the country.

The witness narrated how the sum of N650 million was transferred from ONSA to Zenith Bank account to Acacia Holdings account with Ecobank.

He said the N650 million was transferred to various individuals and companies contrary to the purpose it was disbursed for.

Adariku said on April 20, 2015, N150 million was transferred to the account of Baba-Kusa.

The witness said another transfer of N150 million was made to Medical Plastics limited, a company, found to be owned by Baba-Kusa and Hauwa, his wife, who own 1.8 million shares in the company.

He also said the sums of N600 million and N200 million were transferred on April 17, 2015 and October 9, 2014.

But Biodun Layonu, counsel to Acacia, argued that most of the figures being quoted by the witness had been blanked out in the document in his possession.

Husseini Baba-Yusuf, the judge hearing the case, noted Layonu’s argument and asked the prosecution to produce clearer copies of the documents.

Thereafter, Baba-Yusuf adjourned the matter until December 13 and 14 for continued hearing.