The EFCC on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the
office of the National Security Adviser, paid N300 million to former National
Chairman of PDP, Bello Haliru to fund election campaign.
Mrs Roukayya Ibrahim, forensic expert with the Commission made
the statement while testifying before Justice John Tsoho on Tuesday.
Ibrahim said the outcome of forensic analysis on financial
transactions in the Sterling Bank account used indicated that the money was not
payment for contract executed.
She said that the office of the National Security Adviser headed
by retired Col. Sambo Dasuki authorised the payment.
“The bank account that was used belonged to Abbah Bello, son of
the third defendant (Haliru Bello),’’ Ibrahim said.
She added: “between October and November 2014, a special Task
Force was created to investigate Defence and arms contract.
“Allegation of financial misappropriation in the office of the
NSA has been reported at the commission.
“After the Task Force was constituted, we studied intelligent
reports and commenced investigation.
“During the course of the investigation, we invited relevant
government agencies and banks to discuss with them.
“Specifically, we spoke with senior staff from the office of the
Accountant-General of the Federation and Central Bank of Nigeria.
“One of the discoveries was a letter from the Ministry of
Finance to the CBN requesting the release of N100 billion on March 2, 2015.
“The money was actually meant for disbursement to agencies of
government with the office of the NSA getting N30 billion out of the fund
tagged to be used for security issues.
“On March 3, 2015, the Accountant-General of the Federation sent
a memo to the Ministry of Finance in respect of the N30 billion.
“And on March 5, the Accountant-General of the Federation sent
another memo to the CBN requesting urgent release of the N30 billion which was
eventually paid into the NSA office account on March 11.
“On March 17, the N300 million was transferred from the N30
billion into the Sterling Bank account operated by BAM Project and Properties
Ltd owned by Abba Bello.
“When Abba was arrested and interrogated, he denied knowledge of
the transaction that ran through his bank account.
“Then his father, Haliru Bello was away in abroad, but the story
changed when we spoke with him on telephone.
“During the course of the investigation, we got to know that
Bashir Yuguda, former minister of State for Finance was used to actualise the
transaction.’’
“During forensic analysis, we discovered that on March 18,
disbursement of about N137 million was made to Kumugumu Ltd, on the same day,
another N178 million was sent to North pole Ltd from the N300 million’’.
“On March 28, Abba transferred the sum of N163 million to Hijra
Textiles Ltd on the instruction of his father, Haliru Bello.
“Abba who is the sole owner of BAM Project and Properties Ltd
whose bank account is been used withdrew the sum of N20 million in two tranches
of N10 million each.
“Then on May 28, Abba made another transfer of N50 million into
another of his personal savings account.’’
Ibrahim said Abba had specifically confessed to the commission
that BAM Project and Properties Ltd did not execute any contract for the office
of the National Security Adviser.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo are
standing trial for alleged unlawful collection of part of the funds meant for
arms purchase for the military.
