DasukiGate: ₦2.2 Billion was spent on prayers against Boko Haram – First prosecution, witness tells court

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission investigating (EFCC) officer identified as Adariko Michael, has alleged that ₦2.2 billion was spent on prayers to win the war against Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

He made this known while giving evidence on Tuesday, November 10, as the 1st prosecution witness (PW1) in the trial of Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser (ONSA) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, in the alleged $2 billion arms deal fraud.

Other who were also charged with Dasuki, a retired colonel, Acacia Holdings Limited, Reliance Referral Hospital Limited, a former General Manager with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Aminu Baba-kusa.

The ape Nigerian criminal law enforcement agency charged them with 32 counts bordering on dishonest release and receiving various sums of money before Husseini Baba-Yusuf, misappropriation and criminal breach of trust.

Led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, Mr Micheal revealed that N750 million was allegedly transferred from the ONSA special account to Reliance Referral Hospital Limited’s account with First Bank.

Going further, he disclosed that N650 million was also transferred to Acacia Holding Limited’s account with EcoBank, while another N600 million and N200 million were transferred to the company’s account with UBA.

In Mr Micheal’s words

“Between September 27, 2013, and April 16, 2015, N50 million was credited to Reliance Referral Hospital’s account.

Based on responses from the banks involved, as investigating officer, we found out that money was transferred to several individuals and companies.

When we went through the account statement, we asked the second defendant (Aminu Babakusa) the reason for this.

He informed us that the money was used to hire clerics to pray for the nation as regards Boko Haram crisis.

When we asked him to provide the names, contacts and phone numbers of the clerics he hired to pray for the nation, he mentioned only two”.

The presiding judge adjourned the case to wednesday, 11th November for further hearing.

It ought to be recalled that Dasuki spent about 4 years in detention, following his arrest in 2015 over alleged misappropriation of N2.2 billion meant for arms purchase during his time as National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan