A petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Advocacy Network (ACAN), a civil society organization, has accused Rear Admiral Williams Onovuhe Kayoda (Retired), the former Chief of Defence Space Administration (DSA), of massive corruption, fraud, and abuse of office during his tenure. The document, addressed to Sen. Barr. Immanuel Memga Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, outlines a detailed account of alleged financial misconduct amounting to over $27 million, among other serious infractions.
Allegations of Embezzlement and Corruption
According to ACAN, Kayoda, who retired from service in December 2021, misappropriated millions of dollars intended for the development of Nigeria’s Defence Space Agency. The petition alleges that Kayoda used these funds to acquire luxury properties across Nigeria and abroad, including in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Delta State, Dubai, Canada, the UK, and the United States.
One of the key allegations is that Kayoda, in violation of public office regulations, ran private companies during his time in office, which he allegedly used to secure inflated contracts and launder money. ACAN points specifically to a company named TAJIED Integrated Services Limited, which was reportedly employed in various government contracts. The petition also suggests that Kayoda wielded significant political influence, securing inflated budgets for the DSA by reportedly bribing high-ranking officials in the National Assembly.
Family Ties and Luxury Purchases
The petition goes further to detail the lavish lifestyle allegedly funded by Kayoda’s illicit wealth. It claims that the retired Admiral has purchased high-end properties in Wuye, Durumi, and Gudu Districts in Abuja, with at least two of these properties being houses and the third a plot of land. Additionally, the petition alleges that Kayoda recently bought a Wrangler Jeep worth N250 Million for his daughter, adding that he has deposited much of his looted funds into offshore accounts.
ACAN also highlights two companies —YODATECH Innovative Ventures Ltd and BROMON Integrated Services Ltd—allegedly owned by Kayoda, which it describes as “shell companies” designed to funnel kickbacks from government contracts and launder money.
Alleged Non-Declaration of Assets
In a brazen disregard for Nigeria’s Code of Conduct for Public Officers, the petition accuses Kayoda of failing to declare his vast assets in his Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Forms, a violation of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution. ACAN claims that these undeclared properties include two massive houses in Abuja’s upscale Asokoro District, valued at over N1.2 billion. The group also points to another property, OBEJ Plaza, valued at N650 million, which it claims was opened for business in May 2024, financed by ill-gotten wealth.
ACAN alleges that Kayoda has stashed away significant sums of money in both local and international accounts, some of which are reportedly held in the names of family members, including his sister, Mrs. Agnes Ohanoma Onodiama. The petition further claims that foreign currencies totaling over $3 Million and £1 Million were found in the homes of Kayoda and his wife, Jane Onome Kayoda, much of which has since been converted into Naira and deposited in his Nigerian bank accounts.
Calls for Action
ACAN’s petition urges the Senate to immediately summon Kayoda for a Public Hearing to address the accusations. It calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate the retired Rear Admiral. The group further requests that all of Kayoda’s assets and funds, both domestic and foreign, be confiscated pending investigation, and, if found guilty, that these properties and funds be forfeited to the Nigerian government.
The group insists that if no action is taken within five days, it will mobilize for a massive public protest, including a media campaign, to bring attention to Kayoda’s alleged crimes. ACAN has listed a number of prominent media outlets that will cover the potential Public Hearing, further amplifying the allegations against the retired Rear Admiral.
The petition from ACAN is a detailed account of serious financial misconduct that, if proven true, could shake Nigeria’s defense establishment to its core. With allegations ranging from corruption and money laundering to gross abuse of office, the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes now faces the task of investigating these claims, which could potentially lead to criminal prosecution and asset forfeiture. All eyes are on the Senate to see how it responds to these explosive accusations.
As the case unfolds, it serves as yet another reminder of the deep-seated corruption that continues to plague Nigeria’s public institutions. Whether justice will be served remains to be seen, but ACAN has made it clear that it is prepared to take its fight to the streets—and the international stage—if necessary.