The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, alongside a former top executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa, on a 32-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds amounting to N33.2 billion.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Charles Agbaza of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday in a renewed phase of one of the most high-profile anti-corruption cases stemming from the previous administration.
Also joined in the re-arraignment are two corporate entities—Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited—both alleged to have served as conduits for the diversion of state resources.
According to the EFCC, the charges include the unlawful diversion of N10 billion meant for special security operations in 2014.
The sum was allegedly withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria in foreign currencies, totaling $47 million and €5.6 million, and subsequently deployed to fund internal party activities, including a major presidential primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Further allegations include the transfer of N1.45 billion to Acacia Holdings Limited under the guise of organizing spiritual prayers, and a separate payment of N4.685 billion to another company—Sylvan McNamara Limited—for security infrastructure that prosecutors allege was ultimately used to finance gubernatorial campaigns in Ekiti and Osun States.
The defendants, who were previously arraigned under a different trial judge, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case, initially overseen by Justice Hussain Baba-Yusuf, was reassigned to Justice Agbaza, prompting a fresh arraignment under the same set of allegations.
Lead prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, requested the court to fix a date for trial commencement.
Defense lawyers, while not opposing the request, appealed for the court to maintain the existing bail conditions granted to their clients in the previous proceedings.
Justice Agbaza granted the request and adjourned the matter to July 1, 2025, for hearing, directing all parties to ensure full compliance with court proceedings and to maintain the integrity of the judicial process.
The EFCC’s case against Dasuki forms part of a broader investigation into alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office during his tenure as National Security Adviser between 2012 and 2015.
The ongoing prosecution is viewed as a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to accountability in public service.
