By News Editor
Retired Rear Admiral B.T. Yusuf has disputed allegations linking him to the alleged diversion of approximately ₦2 billion in Nigerian Navy funds, while offering his account of a separate property dispute in Kaduna that recently attracted media attention.
In two statements dated October 13, 2026, Yusuf denied that he diverted Nigerian Navy funds into his personal accounts and maintained that his presence at the Kaduna property was connected to the enforcement of a court judgment.
His response followed an October 11 publication by SaharaReporters titled, “Ex-Nigerian Navy Accounts Director Wanted By EFCC Over Alleged N2bn Fraud Seen Moving Freely In Kaduna.” The report discussed allegations of financial impropriety involving the retired naval officer and raised questions about his reported presence in Kaduna.
Yusuf’s response presents his position on the allegations. However, the issues surrounding the financial investigation and the circumstances of the Kaduna incident should be distinguished, as they concern separate matters.
YUSUF EXPLAINS CIRCUMSTANCES OF KADUNA PROPERTY DISPUTE
Addressing the Kaduna incident, Yusuf said his visit to the property was connected to a court judgment concerning ownership and possession of the premises.
According to his statement, his former wife, Mrs Zainab Samaila Yombe, had been in possession of the building, accommodated tenants and collected rent before the court ruled in his favour earlier in 2026.
Yusuf said he subsequently visited the property alongside a court representative and a police representative to facilitate the handover in accordance with the court’s decision.
He explained that tenants were occupying the premises at the time possession was transferred to him.
According to his account, the occupants were not immediately required to leave but were given several extensions to enable them to find alternative accommodation.
He said the initial two-week notice was extended successively to one month, two months and additional periods, eventually reaching seven months.
Yusuf further stated that a final notice to vacate was issued four days before the incident that subsequently attracted media attention.
He alleged that tensions arose when the tenants indicated that their landlady had instructed them not to leave the property.
The retired naval officer also claimed that Yombe arrived at the scene and began recording him during the disagreement over the occupants’ departure.
He disputed the suggestion that the video subsequently published by SaharaReporters provided a complete account of the incident, maintaining that the circumstances leading to the confrontation needed to be considered.
The details of the property dispute, including the precise terms of the court judgment and the parties’ respective positions, could not be independently established from the statements provided.
RETIRED OFFICER DENIES MISTREATING TENANTS
Yusuf also denied allegations of mistreating the tenants, stating that he made alternative accommodation available to them after they moved their belongings from the property.
In his statement, he said the alternative apartment was better than their previous accommodation and that he did not demand payment from them.
He added that the occupants were permitted to remain in the alternative accommodation while making arrangements to secure another apartment.
Yusuf maintained that his actions were intended to facilitate the implementation of the court’s decision rather than to subject the tenants to undue hardship.
His account, however, represents his version of events. A comprehensive assessment of the dispute would require consideration of the court’s judgment and the accounts of other parties involved.
YUSUF SEEKS EVIDENCE OF ALLEGED ₦2BN FUND TRANSFERS
In a separate statement, Yusuf challenged allegations that funds belonging to the Nigerian Navy had been transferred into his personal accounts.
He called on those making the allegations to provide evidence establishing the alleged transactions.
“I challenge those making the allegation to bring forward evidence. Let them bring the evidence where this money moved from Navy account to my account,” he said.
Yusuf also questioned how he could have diverted Navy funds, arguing that he was not in charge of the Navy’s money.
“I was not in charge of Navy money. How could I then transfer money from Navy account?” he asked.
The retired officer further referred to the Navy’s personnel and overhead allocations during the period in question, stating that the service received between ₦2 billion and ₦2.3 billion monthly for those expenses.
He argued that the continued payment of salaries during the period should be considered in assessing the allegations.
Yusuf described the claims against him as baseless and called for the issues to be investigated.
His denial and request for evidence constitute his response to the allegations; they do not, on their own, establish whether the alleged transactions occurred. The relevant financial records and findings from the appropriate investigative or judicial authorities would be necessary to determine the matter.
BACKGROUND TO THE FINANCIAL ALLEGATIONS
SaharaReporters, in its October 11 publication, reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had informed a Federal High Court in Abuja in October 2022 that Yusuf could not be located in connection with charges filed against him.
According to the publication, the EFCC alleged that approximately ₦2 billion had been transferred from official accounts into accounts linked to Yusuf and another retired naval officer, Babajide Oguntola, through a business account operated under the name Bitmas Enterprise.
The publication also referred to previous court proceedings involving the freezing of bank accounts and the forfeiture of funds to the Federal Government.
These allegations remain distinct from Yusuf’s explanation of the Kaduna property incident. His denial should be reported alongside the allegations, while the legal status of the case and any subsequent judicial decisions should be verified through official court records and the relevant authorities.
The available statements do not, by themselves, establish the final outcome of the financial proceedings or independently resolve the competing accounts concerning the property.
CALL FOR FACT-BASED REPORTING
Yusuf has maintained that the video circulated by SaharaReporters did not capture the full circumstances surrounding the Kaduna property dispute. He insists that his presence at the premises was connected to the enforcement of a court judgment.
The controversy raises two separate questions: the circumstances surrounding possession of the Kaduna property and the allegations concerning the movement of Nigerian Navy funds.
A balanced assessment requires that both matters be examined on their respective merits, with due regard for documentary evidence, court records and responses from the relevant parties.
Until the outstanding facts are established, the financial allegations should not be presented as proven misconduct, just as Yusuf’s denial should not be treated as a judicial determination of the case.
Weekenders Magazine will continue to uphold responsible journalism by distinguishing allegations from established facts and ensuring that individuals have a fair opportunity to respond to claims made against them.