The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised concerns over what it described as disturbing financial intelligence findings on possible large-scale diversion, misappropriation and abuse of public funds linked to the management of security-related accounts in Kogi State.

The anti-corruption organisation said available preliminary findings revealed that an account identified as the Kogi State Security Operation Account reportedly received over N36.9 billion within nine months from the Kogi State Government SRA, with billions of naira allegedly transferred to private individuals and corporate entities without clear public justification.

However, the Kogi State Government has dismissed as politically motivated, speculative and unsupported by evidence the allegations that funds from the state’s Security Operations Account were diverted.

In a statement by its Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Musa, CISLAC said the revelations further reinforced longstanding concerns over the lack of transparency, accountability and oversight in the administration of security votes and intervention funds across the country.

According to the organisation, the latest allegations emerged against the backdrop of its sustained advocacy and monitoring of the use of security votes and security intervention funds in Nigeria.

It noted that for over a decade, it has tracked the administration of security votes at both federal and state levels and consistently raised concerns over the absence of transparency, accountability and oversight mechanisms governing such expenditures.

The group noted that its findings over the years had revealed systemic vulnerabilities that enabled the diversion and misappropriation of public resources under the guise of security spending.

CISLAC further disclosed that available information indicated that approximately N23.7 billion from the Kogi State Security Operation Account was transferred to a finance company known as Real Striker Finance Limited, reportedly owned by a certain Mr Ameh Joseph Erico.

It further alleged that additional billions of naira were disbursed to various individuals and corporate entities, citing beneficiaries identified in financial records to include Abdullahi Ayisat Omonale, Peter Enehezeyi Ozavize, Dange Security Patrol, and G and T Motors Nigeria Limited, among others.

According to the organisation, available records suggest that transfers to individuals and private entities exceeded N12.53 billion during the period under review.

CISLAC expressed particular concern over allegations that Real Striker Finance Limited was established shortly after the election of the current administration and was allegedly linked to politically exposed persons, including a former Security Adviser to former Governor Yahaya Bello.

It alleged that the company received substantial transfers from the state security account and subsequently disbursed significant sums through cash withdrawals and transfers to several companies and individuals. Some of the entities that received funds, it further alleged, may have connections to politically exposed persons and individuals linked to previous administrations.

While noting that investigations were ongoing, CISLAC said the transactions raised serious concerns regarding the management and accountability of public funds earmarked for security purposes.

The group stressed that it would continue to monitor and investigate allegations of abuse, diversion and misappropriation of security funds across states of the federation as part of its efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the management of security-related expenditures.

The anti-corruption body maintained that security votes and security intervention funds are public resources that must be managed transparently, responsibly and in strict compliance with existing financial regulations, as the diversion of such funds undermines public trust, weakens efforts to combat insecurity and deprives citizens of essential protection and public services.

Consequently, the organisation called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other relevant anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into all transactions associated with the Kogi State Security Operation Account and related beneficiary accounts.

It also demanded an immediate forensic investigation into the inflows and outflows of the account, investigation of Real Striker Finance Limited, including its ownership structure, operations and transactions, as well as the identification and public disclosure of all ultimate beneficiaries of the funds.

The organisation also called for the recovery of any public funds found to have been diverted, misappropriated or unlawfully obtained and the prosecution of all individuals and entities found culpable, regardless of political status or affiliation.

In a statement yesterday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the government was responding to the allegations to clarify the facts and reassure residents of its commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.

Fanwo maintained that CISLAC failed to provide any investigative report, documented evidence or findings from a competent authority to support its claims.

According to him, the state government has consistently invested in strengthening Kogi’s security architecture, resulting in improved intelligence capabilities, enhanced operational response and stronger collaboration among security agencies.