EFCC accuses Sambo Dasuki of using arms money to buy houses in London and Dubai

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials have accused the former national security adviser Col Sambo Dasuki of using funds budgeted to fight Boko Haram to buy choice homes in London and Dubai.

 

Retired Col Dasuki is at the centre of a $2.1bn arms scam christened Dasukigate under which money voted for the military to fight the Boko Haram insurgency was diverted to private accounts. According to investigators, money was not only embezzled privately but it was also spent funding the governing Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) 2015 election campaign.

 

Several PDP officials are currently in custody awaiting trial over the scandal and dozens of retired and serving officers face disciplinary charges too. According to the EFCC, Col Dasuki compromised the security of the nation and committed economic sabotage through his alleged diversion of funds.

 

EFCC officials alleged that Col Dasuki had purchased houses in London and Dubai with the proceeds of the funds meant for the purchase of arms for the soldiers battling Boko Haram. They allege that Col Dasuki transferred huge sums of money to companies whose identities were still being traced, to acquire several assets in Dubai and London.

 

An EFCC spokesman said: “Our investigation also revealed that the applicant transferred large sums of monies outside Nigeria and he acquired several assets in Dubai and London with these funds. In our proof of evidence, we mentioned security money meant for purchase of arms and we also mentioned security equipment."

 

It is also alleged that N2.1bn (£7.3m) was paid into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company controlled by Dr Raymond Dokpesi for the funding of media activities for the PDP's 2015 presidential election campaign. Money was also said to have been paid to other companies including Acacia Holdings, Reliance Referral Hospital, Belsha Nigeria and Hydrocarbons.