By Nkechi Eze
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria’s chapter of Transparency International, has called for an immediate investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving over ₦36.9 billion reportedly received through the Kogi State Security Operation Account, raising concerns over the management of public funds earmarked for security interventions in the state.
In an official signed statement, Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), disclosed that the allegations stem from financial intelligence findings suggesting possible large-scale diversion, misappropriation, and abuse of public funds linked to security-related accounts in Kogi State.
According to the statement, the revelations align with CISLAC’s long-standing advocacy for greater transparency and accountability in the administration of security votes and intervention funds across Nigeria. The organisation noted that years of monitoring have exposed systemic weaknesses and the absence of effective oversight mechanisms governing security expenditures at both federal and state levels.
CISLAC stated that information available to the organisation indicates that the Kogi State Security Operation Account reportedly received more than ₦36.9 billion within a nine-month period from the Kogi State Government’s SRA account. Preliminary findings allegedly show that approximately ₦23.7 billion was transferred to Real Striker Finance Limited, a company reportedly owned by Mr. Ameh Joseph Erico, while additional billions of naira were disbursed to various individuals and corporate entities without clear public justification.
The organisation identified some of the beneficiaries in the financial records as Abdullahi Ayisat Omonale, Peter Enehezeyi Ozavize, Dange Security Patrol, and G and T Motors Nigeria Limited, among others. It further alleged that transfers to private individuals and companies exceeded ₦12.53 billion during the period under review.
According to CISLAC, particular concern surrounds reports that Real Striker Finance Limited was established shortly after the election of the current administration and is allegedly linked to politically exposed persons, including a former Security Adviser to former Governor Yahaya Bello. The organisation alleged that the company received substantial transfers from the security account and subsequently disbursed significant sums through cash withdrawals and transfers to several individuals and businesses.
The anti-corruption group also stated that some of the entities that received funds may have connections to politically exposed persons and officials associated with previous administrations, stressing that the transactions warrant thorough scrutiny and independent investigation.
CISLAC maintained that if the allegations are substantiated, they would represent a serious abuse of public resources intended for critical security operations at a time when citizens continue to grapple with insecurity and violent crimes.
The organisation called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, and other relevant law enforcement agencies to launch a comprehensive investigation into all transactions linked to the Kogi State Security Operation Account and associated beneficiary accounts.
Among its demands, CISLAC called for a forensic audit of the account, investigation of Real Striker Finance Limited and its ownership structure, identification and public disclosure of all ultimate beneficiaries of the funds, recovery of any misappropriated public resources, and prosecution of all individuals and entities found culpable irrespective of political status or affiliation.
The organisation also urged authorities to strengthen transparency and accountability mechanisms governing security-related expenditures across the country.
Beyond the Kogi allegations, CISLAC reiterated its position that Nigeria’s security vote system remains vulnerable to abuse due to inadequate legal frameworks, poor public reporting requirements, and limited independent oversight.
The organisation referenced its report titled Camouflaged Cash: How Security Votes Fuel Corruption in Nigeria, which recommended the abolition or comprehensive restructuring of the security vote system through legislation establishing clear budgeting procedures, expenditure criteria, transparency standards, and accountability mechanisms. It also advocated independent oversight structures, increased public awareness, and the adoption of transparent Security Trust Funds with robust governance and reporting requirements.
CISLAC further called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and relevant Kogi State Government officials to cooperate fully with any investigation and provide transparency regarding the management of public funds under their administration.
The organisation argued that the allegations also highlight what it described as the failure of the Kogi State House of Assembly to effectively exercise oversight on public spending, particularly amid persistent security challenges marked by kidnappings, killings, and unrest across parts of the state.
Reaffirming its commitment to accountability and good governance, CISLAC stated that the fight against corruption must remain non-partisan and that no public official, past or present, should be shielded from scrutiny where credible evidence of financial misconduct exists.
The organisation pledged to continue monitoring developments and advocating reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and the effective use of public resources, noting that the Kogi allegations underscore the urgent need to reform Nigeria’s security funding architecture.
