News
How Boko Haram Leader, Terrorism Financing Suspects Were Released – Retired Army General Laments
A retired Nigerian Army Major General, Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi, has demanded a thorough investigation into the release of 48 suspects linked to terrorism financing, including a figure flagged by foreign intelligence agencies as a senior Boko Haram leader, who were earlier held by the military.
Ali-Keffi, who was appointed in October 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the covert Operation Service Wide (OSW), said the circumstances surrounding the release raised serious national security concerns.
OSW was tasked with investigating terrorism financiers and collaborators and comprised personnel from the military, intelligence and security agencies, as well as legal officers from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Speaking in an interview with SaharaReporters, Ali-Keffi disclosed that the task force collaborated with about 33 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and European Union, under the cover of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
He alleged that the National Assembly failed to probe the matter due to what he described as compromise involving a former Army chief.
The retired general said OSW arrested 48 individuals identified as terrorism financiers, including one described as a principal Boko Haram leader by Western and Middle Eastern intelligence agencies.
“A significant amount of the huge funds meant for counterterrorism were shared amongst prominent military and government officials including National Assembly members and others,” he said.
“Putting the terrorism financing suspects on trial would have exposed the misappropriation of these counterterrorism funds and all the beneficiaries. That is why nothing has been done.”
He alleged that the NFIU traced large sums of counterterrorism funds diverted through some of the arrested suspects who operated Bureau De Change firms as fronts.
“These funds were laundered on behalf of top military and government officials,” Ali-Keffi said. “We should not forget that these same suspects also moved funds for Boko Haram operations.”
Ali-Keffi questioned the release of Hima Abubakar, whose $600 million account was allegedly traced by the NFIU to an offshore account.
“First, who ordered the release of the 48 terror financing suspects held in military custody? All those who played a part should be identified,” he said.
“Secondly, why were they released without being put on trial?”
“Thirdly, why did the government request the US to unfreeze the $600m of Hima Abubakar traced by the NFIU to an overseas offshore account?”
He recalled that Abubakar had been declared wanted by Nigerian and Nigerien authorities and was earlier indicted by the Committee on Defence and Arms Procurement (CADEP) for irregularities in arms procurement.
“So why did we request the US to unfreeze his account after CADEP found him liable of owing the country a huge amount of money?” he asked.
Ali-Keffi also expressed concern over the release of Alhaji Saidu Ahmed, also known as Saidu Gold, who he said was identified as a top Boko Haram leader.
“It is laughable that Saidu Gold was released from Army detention and allowed to walk free despite the abundance of evidence OSW had,” he said.
He referenced intelligence documents from the United Arab Emirates, which allegedly showed that Saidu Gold recruited six individuals later jailed in Dubai for terrorism-related offences.
“Yet, for some insane reasons, we didn’t even put him on trial,” he added.
The retired general further recalled that the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, had initiated a forensic audit into counterterrorism funds and unexecuted procurement projects.
“He died three days before he was to act on the report,” Ali-Keffi said, alleging that the audit was suppressed to conceal fund diversion.
Ali-Keffi called for a full-scale investigation into the handling of terrorism financing cases and counterterrorism funds.
“If the NFIU under OSW should ever make its investigations public, I can assure you there will be a tsunami in Nigeria,” he said.
“Many military and government officials, including distinguished members of the National Assembly, would be implicated.”
The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.
The statement read
“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.
The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.
This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.
Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”
News
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.
DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.
Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.
The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.
The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.
Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.
The police in Delta state have arrested eleven more suspects over the sexu@l ass@ults recorded during what was described as a “r@ping festival” in Oramudu Quarters in Ozoro last Thursday, March 19.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 21, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.
Edafe said operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of eleven additional suspects identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. Edafe mentioned that these latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15)
“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate that the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexu@l v!olence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the Command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”the statement in part reads
Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds
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