Dasuki, Yuguda trial: EFCC witness tells court how N4.6bn was transferred from ONSA account

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Kazeem Yusuf, on Wednesday told a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that N4.6 billion was transferred from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Yusuf gave the testimony while appearing in the trial of former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki; and former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa.

Also standing trial are Bafarawa’s son, Sagir, and Dalhatu Investment Limited, a company linked to Bafarawa and his son.

The defendants are facing trial before Justice Yusuf Halilu at the Maitama Division of the High Court on an amended 25-count charge of misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, and receiving stolen property.

During cross-examination by A.A. Ayodele, counsel for the first defendant, Yusuf said he could not recall how long the defendants were detained. He also stated that he was not present when the defendants made statements at the EFCC headquarters.

When asked whether the N4.6 billion was paid into the first defendant’s account, Yusuf said there was no record indicating such a transfer.

Counsel for the second defendant, A. Usman, asked if Yusuf knew about ONSA’s covert operations. The witness replied that he understood the term and confirmed that the funds came from ONSA.

Further cross-examination by counsel for the third and fourth defendants, Prof. Kayode Olatoke, SAN, and counsel for the fifth defendant, H. Afolabi, SAN, revealed that none of the defendants received the funds in their personal accounts, though some were credited to their companies’ accounts.

At the end of cross-examination, by agreement of the parties, Justice Halilu adjourned the matter until April 14 for the continuation of the trial.