Kassim Yusuf, a Second Prosecution Witness from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has shed light on how former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, allegedly diverted N4.6 billion meant for security purposes.
He made the revelation before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
Bafarawa is currently facing 25-count charges, including criminal breach of trust and the diversion of public funds.
Yusuf informed Justice Yusuf Halilu that the funds, originally received by Dalhatu Investment Limited from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, were utilized for various unauthorized purposes.
These included sponsoring Sokoto State indigenes on Muslim pilgrimages, financing Bafarawa’s 2015 presidential campaign, settling overseas mortgages, and acquiring high-end vehicles, such as Lexus, Toyota Hilux pickups, and Peugeot 206 cars for PDP local government chairmen in the state.
Background
Bafarawa, along with his co-defendants Bashir Yuguda, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Dalhatu Investment Limited, and Sagir Attahiru are embroiled in a legal battle over the alleged misappropriation of security funds.
The charges brought forth by the EFCC accuse the defendants of diverting N4.6 billion for personal and unauthorized political purposes, leading to a series of legal proceedings.
At the court session, Yusuf pointed out that N1 billion from the sum was distributed among 10 Bureau De Change operators for conversion to dollars.
The witness substantiated the claim, stating that representatives from Dalhatu Investment Limited facilitated the collection of funds, with approximately N800 million later transferred to the company’s domiciliary account for conversion.