A former Acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Mohammed Dauda, has alleged that he blocked attempts by top officials, including former Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babagana Kingibe, and intelligence official Rufai Abubakar, from accessing and allegedly diverting $44 million belonging to the agency.
The allegations were contained in a briefing submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, which was exclusively obtained and first reported by Sahara Reporters.
Dauda said he assumed office on November 6, 2017, following a directive conveyed by Abba Kyari at the Presidential Villa, instructing him to act as DG pending further presidential orders.
He stated that on resumption, he was briefed by outgoing acting DG Mr Arab Yadam, who disclosed the existence of $44 million tied to intervention funds linked to the controversial Ikoyi cash recovery case. He added that the agency’s Acting Director of Finance and Administration, Brigadier-General Mohammed Ja’afaru, warned that the funds were being held as an exhibit in an ongoing matter and were not to be accessed.
According to Dauda, shortly after he took charge, a Presidential Review Panel headed by Babagana Kingibe commenced operations within the NIA and began issuing directives, including instructions to route all communications through the office of Abba Kyari and avoid dealings with the National Security Adviser.
He alleged that pressure later intensified from Kingibe and Abubakar, demanding access to the $44 million despite his insistence that the funds were restricted. He said he repeatedly refused to authorize any release, insisting due process must be followed.
Dauda further claimed that he was told the EFCC had been directed to step aside from the matter and that the funds were no longer under legal restriction, but he maintained his position that the money could not be touched without proper authorization.
He told lawmakers that when pressure escalated to remove the finance director to ease access to the funds, he refused, believing it would expose the agency’s finances to abuse.
The former NIA boss also alleged that after resisting the moves, he was eventually removed from office and later faced administrative sanctions, including restrictions on his movement and attempts to withdraw his security details.
He said he later advised the National Security Adviser to relocate the funds for safekeeping, a move he claims was carried out before his exit.
Dauda urged the House Committee to investigate what he described as coordinated attempts to compromise national security funds and protect him from victimisation.
As of press time, the individuals named in the allegations have not responded publicly.
Credit: Findings and disclosures reported by Sahara Reporters.