A report by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) has exposed a scandal involving Nigeria’s former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
The investigation reveals that millions meant for combating Boko Haram were diverted to finance luxury properties in the United States.
Sambo Dasuki, who served as National Security Adviser under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was previously accused of misappropriating billions intended for counterinsurgency efforts against Boko Haram.
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According to the PPLAAF report, significant amounts of diverted funds were traced to upscale real estate in Los Angeles, California, and McLean, Virginia, through associates Robert and Mimie Oshodin.
Luxury Real Estate and the Oshodins’ Involvement
The investigation uncovered that at least $27 million was funneled from Dasuki’s office to the Oshodins, who subsequently invested similar amounts in U.S. properties. Records analyzed by PPLAAF included property deeds, bank statements, and corporate filings from both Nigeria and the U.S.
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“The diversion of public funds for luxury abroad undermines Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts,” stated Jimmy Kande, West Africa Director at PPLAAF. He added, “The U.S. must take a stronger stance against these financial abuses.”
Despite Nigerian authorities alerting the U.S. Department of Justice about the allegations in 2018, the Oshodins continued acquiring properties. Lanre Suraj of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) voiced his outrage:
Funds intended to protect Nigerians were misused for the lavish lifestyles of a select few. Both nations must recover these stolen assets.
Dasukigate and the Alleged Embezzlement Scheme
Dasuki, appointed in 2012, was responsible for coordinating the fight against Boko Haram, an insurgency that has caused widespread violence in Nigeria.
However, Nigerian authorities claim that Dasuki siphoned over $2 billion through fraudulent procurement deals. Following Muhammadu Buhari’s election in 2015, Dasuki was dismissed and later detained as part of an investigation dubbed “Dasukigate.”
The PPLAAF report highlighted multiple assets tied to the scandal, including a $9.5 million mansion in Los Angeles, purchased on the same day Dasuki’s office transferred $12 million to the Oshodins’ furniture business.
Court documents further revealed that the Oshodins possessed jewelry valued at millions, stored in their Los Angeles property.
U.S. Oversight and Ongoing Real Estate Deals
Despite the 2018 notification from Nigerian authorities, the Oshodins retained ownership of properties worth $20 million in the U.S. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of American oversight on illicit financial flows within the real estate sector.
The U.S. has recently tightened measures to curb money laundering in real estate, requiring advisers to report cash purchases made by shell companies. However, Nigeria still struggles to recover assets linked to Dasukigate, as judicial delays persist.
Controversy Surrounding McLean Mansion
A $2.8 million mansion in McLean, Virginia, has become the focus of ongoing investigations. Nestled in an exclusive neighborhood, the mansion was linked to a family associate of Dasuki, raising suspicions about its funding source.
The upscale property features luxury amenities, including a wine cellar and sauna, and blends in with residences owned by corporate executives and medical professionals.
According to court filings, the mansion’s owner allegedly participated in laundering funds embezzled from Nigeria’s government. The Washington Post reported that this case highlights a broader issue of illicit funds entering the U.S. real estate market, often through opaque corporate structures.
Broader Impact on Anti-Corruption Efforts
The report has sparked renewed calls for greater cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S. in tackling financial crimes. Bradley T. Smith, Acting Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Treasury Department, emphasized the need for stricter regulations:
As the U.S. faces housing affordability challenges, stopping illicit funds from entering the market is more crucial than ever.”
The Dasukigate scandal remains a key test of Nigeria’s resolve in fighting corruption, and ongoing efforts aim to trace and reclaim assets misappropriated during Dasuki’s tenure.
In a related investigation, The Premium Times collaborated with The Washington Post to verify court documents and property records, painting a detailed picture of how embezzled funds flowed from Nigeria into U.S. real estate investments.
The findings reflect the growing global concern about the misuse of real estate markets by corrupt officials to launder stolen wealth.
This scandal, which diverted funds intended to fight terrorism, is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges Nigeria faces in its battle against corruption and financial crime.
