CISLAC Demands Probe of Alleged ₦36.9bn Kogi Security Fund Diversion, Seeks Recovery of Public Money

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria’s chapter of Transparency International, has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of over ₦36.9 billion from a Kogi State security account, raising fresh concerns over accountability in the management of public funds earmarked for security.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, the organization said financial intelligence findings point to possible large-scale abuse, diversion, and misappropriation of funds linked to the Kogi State Security Operation Account.

According to CISLAC, available records indicate that the account received more than ₦36.9 billion within a nine-month period from the Kogi State Government. The organization alleged that approximately ₦23.7 billion was transferred to a finance company, Real Striker Finance Limited, while several other billions of naira were reportedly disbursed to individuals and private companies without clear public justification.

The anti-corruption group claimed that beneficiaries listed in the financial records include private individuals and corporate entities, among them Abdullahi Ayisat Omonale, Peter Enehezeyi Ozavize, Dange Security Patrol, and G and T Motors Nigeria Limited. It alleged that transfers to individuals and companies exceeded ₦12.53 billion during the period under review.

CISLAC further alleged that Real Striker Finance Limited was established shortly after the election of the current administration and may have links to politically exposed persons, including a former security adviser to ex-Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

The organization stressed that while investigations remain ongoing and the allegations are yet to be independently established, the transactions raise serious questions about transparency and accountability in the management of public resources intended for security interventions.

“These allegations, if established through an independent investigation, point to a disturbing pattern of possible misuse of public resources intended for critical security interventions at a time when citizens continue to face severe security challenges,” the statement said.

CISLAC noted that it has, for more than a decade, monitored the use of security votes and security intervention funds across Nigeria and repeatedly raised concerns about the absence of transparency, legal safeguards, and oversight mechanisms governing such expenditures.

The organization argued that the opaque nature of security spending has created opportunities for abuse and diversion of public funds under the guise of addressing insecurity.

Consequently, CISLAC called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, and other relevant agencies to launch a comprehensive forensic investigation into all transactions linked to the Kogi State Security Operation Account.

Among its demands, the group called for:

A forensic audit of all inflows and outflows from the account.

Investigation of Real Striker Finance Limited, its ownership structure, and associated transactions.

Identification and public disclosure of all beneficiaries of the funds.

Recovery of any funds found to have been diverted or unlawfully obtained.

Prosecution of individuals or entities found culpable.

Reforms to improve transparency and accountability in security-related spending nationwide.

CISLAC also urged Ahmed Usman Ododo and officials of the Kogi State Government to cooperate fully with any investigation and provide complete disclosure regarding the management of security funds.

The organization further criticized the oversight role of the Kogi State House of Assembly, arguing that the allegations highlight weaknesses in legislative scrutiny of public expenditure, particularly in a state grappling with persistent security challenges, including kidnappings and violent attacks.

Reiterating its long-standing position on security votes, CISLAC called for the abolition or comprehensive restructuring of the current system through legislation that would introduce clear budgeting procedures, reporting obligations, independent audits, and stronger accountability measures.

The group maintained that Nigerians deserve transparency in the use of public resources, especially funds allocated for security and public welfare, and vowed to continue monitoring developments while advocating reforms to Nigeria’s security funding framework.