The long-running trial linked to the alleged misappropriation of ₦33.2 billion earmarked for arms procurement resumed on January 13, 2026, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, with fresh testimony shedding light on how large sums of public funds were allegedly diverted for private transactions.

At the centre of the case is Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd.), a former National Security Adviser (NSA), who is standing trial alongside other defendants on multiple counts bordering on criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of public funds.

Presiding over the proceedings is Justice Charles O. Agbaza, while the prosecution is led by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Witness Takes the Stand

The prosecution’s first witness, Dr. Michael Adariku, an investigator with the EFCC, took the stand as PW1, presenting what he described as a forensic breakdown of financial transactions allegedly traced to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Dr. Adariku told the court that his testimony was based on:

• Bank statements
• Transaction records
• EFCC interviews with beneficiaries
• Documentary exhibits already admitted into evidence

He emphasized that the investigation focused on tracing funds disbursed from the ONSA account to determine whether they were applied strictly for national security purposes or diverted elsewhere.

The ONSA Account at the Centre of the Case

According to the witness, the funds originated from an ONSA account domiciled with Zenith Bank, with account number 1014199287.

He told the court that between April and May 2015, multiple transfers running into hundreds of millions of naira were made from this account to various corporate and individual beneficiaries.

The prosecution alleges that many of these transactions bore no direct link to arms procurement or security-related services, despite being drawn from funds allocated for national defence.

₦600 Million Transfer to Acacia Holdings Limited

Dr. Adariku testified that on April 17, 2015, a sum of ₦600 million was transferred from the ONSA account to Acacia Holdings Limited, an entity listed among the defendants.

He told the court that prior to receiving the transfer, the balance in Acacia Holdings’ account stood at ₦27,094.49, a figure he said was confirmed through bank records.

According to the prosecution, this sudden inflow of funds raised red flags during the investigation, prompting further scrutiny of subsequent transactions involving the company.

₦60 Million Paid for Land Through an Islamic Academy

The witness further told the court that on April 23, 2015, a transfer of ₦60 million was made to Hidayatul Atfaaf Islamic Academy.

During EFCC interrogation, the proprietor of the academy, Mohammed Bashir, reportedly confirmed receiving the funds. He allegedly disclosed that the money represented part payment for land measuring 3.62 hectares in Kyami District, Abuja, located opposite Centenary City along Airport Road.

According to Dr. Adariku, the land was allegedly acquired by the second defendant, Aminu Baba Kusa, a former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The total cost of the land, the witness said, was ₦120 million, with the ₦60 million forming part of the purchase price.

Payments to Bureau de Change and Property Firms

The EFCC investigator told the court that also on April 23, 2015, a total of ₦25 million was transferred to Zavati BDC Ltd, owned by Abdulrahman Aliu, in three tranches.

Following EFCC questioning, Aliu allegedly disclosed that the funds were part payment for a property identified as Hospitality Property Limited, valued at ₦40 million.

The witness stated that the outstanding balance of ₦15 million was allegedly paid through Ibrahim Saleh Uba, described as a business facilitator and agent to the second defendant.

Unexplained Transfers and Land-Related Payments

On April 24, 2015, Dr. Adariku testified that transfers amounting to ₦124 million were made from the ONSA account, but he noted that no clear narration or justification was attached to the transactions.

He also told the court that on April 27, 2015, further payments were made, including:

• ₦600,157 to the Department of Development Control, FCT, allegedly for land-related statutory charges
• ₦8.1 million paid to Ibrahim Saleh Uba, said to be for survey and beacon processing on lands located in Kwali, Wasa District, Kyami District, and the Central Area of Abuja

₦50 Million for Large-Scale Land Acquisition

The witness further disclosed that ₦50 million was transferred in five tranches of ₦10 million each to Squad Developers Nigeria Limited, owned by Sunday Gugu.

According to Dr. Adariku, EFCC investigations revealed that the payment was a part payment for 118.2132 hectares of land located at Stadium Layout, Kwali, FCT.

The land was allegedly purchased for ₦75 million, with the balance of ₦25 million paid through Ibrahim Saleh Uba, acting as an intermediary.

Transactions Linked to Foreign Currency Transfers

One of the most complex aspects of the testimony involved alleged foreign currency movements.

Dr. Adariku told the court that on April 28, 2015, a total of ₦55,923,000 was transferred in six tranches to Fastman Investment Ltd.

The CEO of Fastman Holding Group, Farouk Suleiman, reportedly confirmed during EFCC interrogation that he was contacted to facilitate the transfer of USD 1 million to a client in Saudi Arabia, identified as Dr. Suleiman Al-Abib of Medical Practice Services.

However, the witness said that only USD 630,000 was eventually transferred.

To fund the dollar transfer, additional naira payments were allegedly made from Reliance Referral Hospital Limited (RRHL) to Fastman Investment Ltd to cover the exchange value.

Payments to Individuals and Medical Practice Limited

Dr. Adariku further testified that on April 30, 2015, two payments — ₦4.86 million and ₦29.1 million — were transferred to O.A. Akinrimade.

He also told the court that ₦70 million was transferred in two tranches to Medical Practice Limited, a company allegedly linked to the wife of the second defendant, Mrs. Hauwa, who reportedly holds 1.8 million shares in the company.

On May 4, 2015, another ₦80 million was transferred to the same company.

“In summary, between April 1 and May 6, 2015, a cumulative sum of ₦150 million was transferred to Medical Practice Limited,” the witness told the court.

Funds Allegedly Moved Overseas

Continuing his testimony, Dr. Adariku disclosed that on May 15, 2015, a total of ₦23,696,250 was transferred in three tranches to Namuduka Ventures Ltd, owned by Murtala Bashir.

According to the EFCC investigator, Bashir disclosed during questioning that the funds were converted to USD 200,000 and transferred to Blue Lake Management Consultancy Ltd, a UK-based account allegedly linked to the second defendant.

Additional Euro Transfers to UK Accounts

The witness also testified that further transfers amounting to ₦56.38 million from Medical Practice Ltd, Acacia Holdings Ltd, and Reliance Referral Hospital Ltd were converted to €233,944 and transferred to a UK cash-card account operated by Furnishing Touches.

On May 13, 2015, another ₦23.77 million was allegedly converted to €65,075 and transferred to a Furnishing Touches clearing account.

An additional ₦2.22 million was converted to €1,500 and transferred to a Business Free MT account in the UK.

Court Adjournment and Status of the Case

After the conclusion of the witness’s testimony for the day, Justice Agbaza adjourned proceedings to January 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.

The court is expected to hear further evidence, including additional witnesses and documentary exhibits tendered by the prosecution.

Background to the Charges

The EFCC had earlier re-arraigned Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd.), Aminu Baba Kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited, and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited on March 25, 2025.

They are facing a 32-count charge, alleging the misappropriation of ₦33.2 billion meant for arms procurement during Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations.

All defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the trial continues in accordance with due process.

Public Interest and National Implications

The case remains one of Nigeria’s most closely watched financial crime trials due to:

• The scale of funds involved
• Its implications for national security spending
• The broader conversation around transparency and accountability in public finance

Legal analysts note that the outcome could have long-term implications for how security funds are managed and audited in Nigeria.

Conclusion

As the trial progresses, the court continues to examine detailed financial records to determine whether funds released for national defence were lawfully applied or diverted for private purposes.

The testimony of Dr. Michael Adariku represents one phase of the prosecution’s case, with the defence expected to challenge the allegations through cross-examination and its own evidence.

Until judgment is delivered, all allegations remain subject to judicial determination.