A coalition of prominent civil society organizations has strongly petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), urging it to dismiss a recent petition targeting former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and the incumbent, Governor Usman Ododo.
The coalition—comprising the Centre for Public Integrity, Nigeria’s Integrity Watch, the Northern Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum, and the Foundation for Democracy in Africa—described the allegations of financial misappropriation against the duo as “highly politicized, sponsored, and malicious.”
The development follows a June 9 petition submitted to the anti-graft agency by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC). The groups had demanded an investigation into the management of ₦36.9 billion and ₦23.7 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government, alleging that the funds were illicitly funneled through the state’s Security Operation Account to private entities and individuals.
However, in a counter-petition addressed to the ICPC Executive Chairman, the coalition argued that the public exposure of specific individuals and security assets by CISLAC was a deliberate attempt to compromise covert security operations in the state.
“In the fight against terrorism, operational tactics and actors are, by necessity, kept highly confidential,” the coalition stated in a joint release signed by Comrade Job Samuel Danfulani and Dr. John Samuel Nangi, among others. “The decision to expose these sensitive details raises serious questions about whether the petitioners are intentionally trying to compromise the security architecture of Kogi State.”
Political Vendetta
The coalition traced the sudden wave of activism to aggrieved political actors who lost out during the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Kogi State.
“Having failed to secure the mandates of their party delegates, these individuals have resorted to using civil society organizations as proxies to wage a war of distraction, character assassination, and political vendetta against both the past administration of Governor Yahaya Bello and the current administration of Governor Usman Ododo,” the statement read.
Legitimate Security Funding
Defending the state’s financial transactions, the coalition referenced clarifications from the Kogi State House of Assembly. Through Yabagi Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, the Assembly confirmed that the financial operations of the state, including security accounts, have remained under regular and rigorous legislative oversight.
Furthermore, the coalition cited the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, who recently noted that maintaining security in a critical transit state like Kogi requires substantial, continuous, and highly confidential investments. The funds, they argued, were legitimately deployed for intelligence gathering, operational logistics, surveillance systems, and strategic support for federal security agencies.
“The figures being brandished by the petitioners are deliberately sensationalized to generate negative media coverage. They rely on leaked administrative transaction lists and hearsay, ignoring the reality that public security operations often involve unconventional disbursements to field operatives and community intelligence networks,” the coalition added.
A Call for Accountability
Warning the ICPC against being used as an arena to resolve post-primary grievances, the coalition urged the commission to protect the integrity of national security operations by refusing to let confidential defense spending be politicized.
They further demanded that the ICPC invite the signatories of the CISLAC petition to substantiate their allegations under caution, ensuring that those who make destabilizing allegations to public institutions are held legally accountable.
The petition was also copied to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; the Director General of the Department of Stateh Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu; and the leadership of the National Assembly.
CSOs Defend Kogi Security Spending, Urge ICPC to Dismiss Fresh Petition
