Witness tells court N4.6bn was transferred from ex-ONSA’s account

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

Yusuf said this in his evidence at the trial of a former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; a former National Security Adviser; Retd Col. Sambo Dasuki.

Others are former governor Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto state; his son Sagir and Dalhatu Investment Limited, owned by Bafarawa and his son

They are facing trial before Justice Yusuf Halilu, sitting at Maitama.

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The defendants are charged with an amended 25-count charge bordering on misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, and receiving stolen property.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, when being cross examined by A.A Ayodele, counsel for the first defendant, the witness said he can’t remember how long the defendants stayed in detention.

Yusuf added that he was not there when the defendants made their statements at the EFCC headquarters.

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When asked if the money was paid into the account of the first defendant, he said there was no record showing such.

When the second defendant’s counsel, A .Usman asked if he had knowledge of the ONSA covert operations, and he said he knew what it meant.

When he was asked to confirm to the court if the money was from the ONSA, he replied:”yes.”

In their cross examination, the third and fourth defendants’ counsel Prof. Kayode Olatoke, SAN and 5th defendant’s counsel H. Afolabi, SAN asked if their clients’ accounts were credited with money from the said account.

He said that none of the defendants received money in their accounts but their companies’ accounts were credited.

At the end of the cross examination, based on consensus, Justice Yusuf adjourned until April 14 for continuation of trial.