Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former top official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has been thrust into the centre of explosive allegations over how billions released from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2015 under Sambo Dasuki were allegedly diverted through companies linked to him.
Two Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witnesses, Michael Adarikun and Adariko Michael, told separate Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Courts in Abuja that firms associated with Baba-Kusa became major conduits for funds meant for national security operations and later, election-related expenses.
How the money flowed
Adarikun narrated before Justice Charles Agbaza that on April 17, 2015, the ONSA under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) transferred N600 million to Acacia Holdings Limited, a company tied to Baba-Kusa, even though its UBA account contained only N27,094 before the deposit.
From that payment and others, the witness said funds were channelled to numerous entities and individuals allegedly on Baba-Kusa’s instruction, including:
N60m to Hidayatul Atfaal Islamic Academy, part-payment for 3.62 hectares in Kiyami district
N25m to Zabati BDC Limited, with N15m later settled by Ibrahim Saleh
N8.7m for “beacon processing” of land in Kwali, Wasa and Kiyami
N50m to Squad Developers in five tranches for 118 hectares in Kwali
N55m+ to Pasman Investment, said to be a naira conversion of $630,000
N124m transferred without explanation
The trail also extended overseas
More than N56m from Acacia Holdings, Reliance Referral Hospital and Medical Plastic Limited was allegedly moved to Namuduka Ventures, converted into foreign currency and sent to Baba-Kusa’s Furnishing Touches account in the United Kingdom and Business Free Empty account (also in the UK).
Other payments included: €65,075 transferred on May 13, €1,500 from converted funds and $200,000 to Blue-Lake Management Consultancy Limited.
Meanwhile, Medical Plastic Limited, said to be majority owned by Baba-Kusa’s wife Hauwa, got N70m on May 4 and N80m on May 6.
Election funds also allegedly diverted
In a separate sitting before Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, EFCC operative Adariko Michael testified that N5 billion was released from an ONSA Central Bank account for the 2015 governorship and state Assembly elections — but the money was instead shared among selected companies.
The case continues
Baba-Kusa is standing trial alongside Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Acacia Holdings Limited, Reliance Referral Hospital Limited on 32 counts of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving over N33.2 billion in ONSA funds.
Both cases were adjourned to January 14 for continuation.
