An investigative report published by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa has revealed that a former Nigerian National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, purchased a 127-acre horse farm in the United States of America.
Dasuki served as the National Security Adviser under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2012 and 2015.
He was, however, arrested in December 2015 by Nigeria’s State Security Service for embezzling $2.1 billion meant for the country’s fight against Boko Haram, a deadly group terrorising the northern part of the country and some neighbouring West African countries.
Dasuki was released from detention in 2019 and has been under scrutiny, but various reports, including the one published by PPLAAF on Monday, have indicted him for corruption and embezzlement.
The report by PPLAAF revealed that Dasuki purchased the luxurious property when he was in Nigerian Security Printing and Minting.
While applying for an American investor visa based on their million-dollar investment in the horse farm, his wife told the US government that her husband obtained the funds through a lobbying contract he had at the time.
“She told US officials that Dasuki was paid USD 1 million to lobby officials in Ghana on behalf of a Texas-headquartered oil company that sought access to an offshore oil platform,” the report noted.
The US government raised eyebrows at his wife’s claim and questioned the source of the funds.
The report further revealed that the horse farm was transferred into his wife’s name.
‘The farm, which Dasuki transferred into his wife’s name, includes an equestrian centre described as having ‘55 stalls, 16 paddocks ranging from small to large, a quarter-mile track, stadium ring equipment with jumps, 4 horses, 4 barns, and trails throughout.’ It is now used as an Airbnb rental and wedding venue,” the report said.
Similar reports that have linked the former NSA to embezzlement include one indicting him and his associates of laundering money through various luxury properties in Los Angeles and the Washington, D.C., area of the US.
In his remarks, the West African Director of PPLAAF, Jimmy Kande, noted that Dasuki has continued to enjoy the proceeds of his misappropriation of funds while Nigerians bear the brunt of his actions several years later.
Kande said, “Dasuki has continued to profit while the Nigerian people bear the brunt of the perpetual misappropriation of public funds in the country. This case is a critical test of the US and Nigerian authorities’ commitment to fighting financial crime.
“No one can doubt that corruption contributes to insecurity. Terrorist groups have thrived in the Sahel partly because of the diversion of funds meant for national security.”