The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as disturbing financial intelligence findings indicating large-scale diversion, misappropriation, and abuse of public funds in the management of security-related accounts in Kogi State. The anti-corruption organization claims that preliminary findings reveal an account identified as the Kogi State Security Operation Account received over N36.9 billion within nine months from the state government's State Revenue Account, with billions of naira allegedly transferred to private individuals and corporate entities without clear public justification.
However, the Kogi State Government has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, speculative, and unsupported by evidence. In a statement by its Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Musa, CISLAC said the revelations reinforce longstanding concerns over the lack of transparency, accountability, and oversight in the administration of security votes and intervention funds across Nigeria. The organization noted that it has tracked the administration of security votes at both federal and state levels for over a decade and consistently raised concerns about the absence of transparency and accountability mechanisms governing such expenditures.
CISLAC's Findings on Fund Transfers
CISLAC further disclosed that approximately N23.7 billion from the Kogi State Security Operation Account was transferred to Real Striker Finance Limited, reportedly owned by a certain Mr. Ameh Joseph Erico. The group alleged that additional billions of naira were disbursed to various individuals and corporate entities, including Abdullahi Ayisat Omonale, Peter Enehezeyi Ozavize, Dange Security Patrol, and G and T Motors Nigeria Limited. According to the organization, transfers to individuals and private entities exceeded N12.53 billion during the period under review.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that Real Striker Finance Limited was established shortly after the current administration's election and is allegedly linked to politically exposed persons, including a former Security Adviser to former Governor Yahaya Bello. The company reportedly 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 which may have connections to politically exposed persons linked to previous administrations.
Calls for Investigation
The anti-corruption body stressed that security votes and security intervention funds are public resources that must be managed transparently and in compliance with financial regulations. It 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 agencies to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation into all transactions associated with the Kogi State Security Operation Account. The organization demanded a forensic investigation into inflows and outflows, an investigation of Real Striker Finance Limited, identification of all ultimate beneficiaries, recovery of diverted funds, and prosecution of culpable individuals regardless of status.
Government's Response
In a statement, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the government is responding to clarify the facts and reassure residents of its commitment to transparency and accountability. Fanwo maintained that CISLAC failed to provide any investigative report, documented evidence, or findings from a competent authority to support its claims. He stated that 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.
