Former Acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Dauda, has alleged that he resisted attempts by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babagana Kingibe, current NIA Director-General Rufai Abubakar, and former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, to gain access to a $44 million intervention fund under the agency’s custody.
Dauda made the allegations in a petition submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
According to him, he assumed office as Acting Director-General on November 6, 2017, after receiving directives at the Presidential Villa that he should oversee the agency pending further instructions.
He said his predecessor, Arab Yadam, briefed him on the agency’s operations, including the existence of a $44 million intervention fund linked to the Ikoyi cash recovery, stressing that the money had become evidence in an ongoing matter and should not be tampered with.
Dauda stated that the Acting Director of Finance and Administration also advised him that the funds were not part of the agency’s budget and should remain untouched because of their legal status.
He alleged that after the Presidential Review Panel, chaired by Babagana Kingibe, began its assignment within the agency, he was instructed to channel all official concerns through the Office of the Chief of Staff rather than the National Security Adviser, a directive he said was inconsistent with the agency’s established procedures.
According to Dauda, pressure mounted from members of the panel to access the $44 million, with claims that the funds were no longer under investigation and could be used by the agency.
He alleged that he was repeatedly urged to remove the Acting Director of Finance and Administration from office because the official opposed any attempt to release the money.
Dauda further claimed that he was told the President had authorised the release of the funds and that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been instructed to discontinue any involvement concerning the money.
Despite the pressure, he said he refused to authorise access to the funds, insisting that doing so would be inappropriate.
The former acting NIA boss also alleged that members of the review panel requested large sums of money for personal expenses, including overseas medical treatment and travel.
He claimed that he personally handed over cash on multiple occasions to individuals acting on behalf of Kingibe and alleged that more than $200,000 was eventually collected during the panel’s assignment.
Dauda further alleged that during a private meeting in Abuja, he was informed that his chances of being confirmed as substantive Director-General depended on making $2 million available immediately, a request he said he rejected because the only available funds were the protected $44 million.
He said he was removed from office shortly afterwards and later advised the National Security Adviser to relocate the money from the NIA headquarters for safekeeping, a recommendation that was implemented.
According to Dauda, his successor later questioned the transfer of the funds and warned that he could be held responsible for the development, an allegation he said he rejected because the money remained intact.
The former intelligence chief also claimed that he and his family have received threats following the incident. He alleged that attempts have been made to recover official vehicles assigned to him, restrict his movements, remove his security personnel and force him out of his official residence.
Dauda called on the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to ensure that he is protected and that due process is followed in handling the matter.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the individuals named in the petition have not publicly responded to the claims.
