BDC Operators Link Kano Governor’s Aide to ₦6.5bn Corruption Scandal

Some bureau de change (BDC) operators have implicated Abdullahi Rogo, Director-General of Protocol to the Kano State Governor, in a multi-billion-naira corruption scandal currently under investigation by Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies — the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The operators, in detailed statements to investigators, described how they allegedly moved huge sums of public funds at Mr Rogo’s request — transactions authorities say form the backbone of a suspected ₦6.5 billion fraud and money laundering scheme.

How Rogo Was Implicated

One BDC operator, Gali Muhammad, told investigators that Mr Rogo personally contacted him to source dollars. Another operator, Nasiru Adamu, managing director of Kazo Nazo and Namu Nakune, said his companies received ₦1.17 billion directly from Kano State’s Federation Account Allocation on November 9, 2023.

In exchange, Mr Adamu provided dollar equivalents to Mr Muhammad, who then delivered the cash to Mr Rogo at the Kano Liaison Office in Asokoro, Abuja.

Mr Muhammad corroborated this account, telling investigators he personally handed over $1 million in cash to Mr Rogo, a transaction described as a blatant violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Role of the Accountant General

The investigation also implicated the then Kano State Accountant General, Abdussalam Abdulkadir, who allegedly ordered the ₦1.17 billion payment using fabricated “letters of authority” purportedly signed by two companies — A.Y. Mai Kifi Oil and Gas Ltd. and Ammas Petroleum Company Ltd.

The managing directors of both firms later told ICPC investigators that the contracts were fictitious and that they signed the documents under Mr Abdulkadir’s instructions.

Investigators concluded that the accountant general conspired with Mr Rogo to launder state funds through BDC operators.

Wider Probe and Forfeitures

On February 14, 2025, the ICPC formally invited Mr Rogo for questioning on fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. His lawyers initially sought a rescheduling but later challenged the summons in court.

Despite the legal maneuver, the ICPC secured a court-ordered forfeiture of ₦142 million traced to one of Mr Rogo’s accounts. By July 2, the funds were permanently forfeited after no claimant came forward.

So far, the ICPC has recovered about ₦1.3 billion linked to Mr Rogo, though investigators say this represents only a fraction of the illicit funds.

Front Companies and Hidden Accounts

According to ICPC documents, Mr Rogo allegedly used multiple “front companies,” including H&M Nigeria Limited, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, and Ammas Oil and Gas Limited, to siphon state funds.

Investigators also discovered an account at Alternative Bank opened in the name of AH Bello Business Solutions Ltd., which they allege was secretly controlled by Mr Rogo.

Between August 2024 and February 2025, the account recorded ₦3.07 billion in inflows and ₦2.6 billion in outflows, with a final balance of ₦142.2 million now forfeited to the ICPC.

Further probes into his personal Zenith Bank accounts revealed ₦2.28 billion in credits and ₦2.26 billion in debits between 2022 and 2025. These accounts have since been frozen under Post-No-Debit restrictions.

Kano Government Pushes Back

Despite mounting evidence, the Kano State Government has defended Mr Rogo, dismissing the reports of a ₦6.5 billion diversion as “politically motivated falsehoods” aimed at discrediting Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration.

The government insisted that all financial transactions were budgeted and accounted for, and argued that the Directorate of Protocol merely manages logistics, welfare, and travel arrangements for the governor and visiting dignitaries.

Officials further claimed that the accounting practices under scrutiny are common across Nigerian states and even the federal government.

What Next?

Both the EFCC and ICPC say their investigations are ongoing and warn that more revelations may surface in the coming weeks. Prosecutors believe the transactions linked to Mr Rogo represent one of the most brazen diversions of public funds in Kano’s recent history.

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