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By John Azu
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI) Nigeria have expressed concern over what they describe as troubling financial intelligence findings indicating the alleged diversion of approximately N36.9 billion from security-related accounts in Kogi State.
The organisations said the concerns emerged from their long-standing monitoring and advocacy efforts aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the management of security votes and intervention funds across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Monday, Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said the organisations have spent more than a decade tracking the administration of security votes at both federal and state levels.
According to him, their observations have consistently highlighted weaknesses in oversight mechanisms governing security-related expenditures, creating opportunities for the misuse of public funds.
“For over a decade, CISLAC and Transparency International Nigeria have raised concerns about the absence of transparency, accountability and effective oversight in the management of security votes and intervention funds,” Rafsanjani said.
“Our findings over the years have revealed systemic vulnerabilities that have enabled the diversion and misappropriation of public resources under the guise of security spending.”
He alleged that financial intelligence reviewed by the organisations showed that an account identified as the Kogi State Security Operation Account reportedly received more than N36.9 billion within a nine-month period from the Kogi State Government’s State Revenue Account (SRA).
The groups further claimed that substantial portions of the funds were subsequently transferred to several accounts, including those allegedly linked to private companies.
While calling for transparency in the matter, CISLAC and TI Nigeria urged relevant anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation into the inflows and outflows of the account.
The organisations also demanded an investigation into Real Striker Finance Limited, including its ownership structure, business activities and all transactions allegedly connected to the company.
In addition, they called for the identification and public disclosure of all ultimate beneficiaries of the funds, recovery of any public resources found to have been diverted or unlawfully obtained, and the prosecution of individuals or entities found culpable, irrespective of their political status or affiliation.
The groups further urged authorities to strengthen transparency and accountability frameworks governing security-related expenditures across the country, arguing that the opaque nature of security votes continues to undermine public trust and weaken efforts to combat corruption.
CISLAC and Transparency International Nigeria reiterated that accountability in the management of security funds is critical to ensuring that resources allocated for public safety are used for their intended purposes and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations.