Fresh questions have emerged over a series of financial transactions linked to Dr. Echuseh Audu, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), following the emergence of documents showing the movement of millions of naira through accounts associated with her and a business known as Katuka’s Kitchen.
The development comes amid ongoing public interest in allegations surrounding the alleged diversion of relief materials, including rice and groundnut oil, meant for vulnerable residents across Taraba State.
Dr. Audu had earlier voluntarily presented herself before various security and investigative agencies after allegations surfaced on social media claiming that relief materials intended for vulnerable residents were diverted.
She denied the allegations and requested a full investigation to establish the truth.
However, financial records obtained and reviewed by journalists have now revealed several transactions involving accounts linked to Dr. Audu and Katuka’s Kitchen, a registered business name that appears repeatedly in the documents.
According to a source familiar with the matter, although Dr. Audu reportedly resigned from the business on paper through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), her Bank Verification Number (BVN) is allegedly still linked to the company’s banking operations.
“She has resigned from Katuka’s Kitchen on CAC records, but her BVN is still linked to the business account. It appears she resigned officially but did not remove herself completely from the banking structure,” the source alleged.
₦12.1 Million LPRES Transaction Raises Questions
One of the transactions attracting attention involves the Taraba State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) Drawdown Account.
Documents show that on October 28, 2025, the LPRES Drawdown Account domiciled with Zenith Bank transferred ₦12,190,726.80 to Katuka’s Kitchen.
The same records indicate that the exact amount of ₦12,190,726.80 was later transferred back to the LPRES account.
The transaction has sparked questions regarding the purpose of the payment and the circumstances surrounding the movement of the funds.
A source familiar with the records questioned whether a public official should be linked to a company receiving government-related payments.
Records Show ₦49.4 Million Inflows
Financial records reviewed reveal multiple inflows into accounts associated with Katuka’s Kitchen and Dr. Audu.
Among the listed transactions are:
- ₦15 million transferred on May 10, 2024, from a UBA account belonging to Audu Echuseh.
- ₦7 million transferred on August 16, 2024, from a Fidelity Bank account belonging to Katuka’s Kitchen.
- ₦12,190,726.80 transferred on October 28, 2025, from the Taraba State LPRES Drawdown Account.
- ₦5.25 million transferred on January 30, 2026, from an account belonging to Sunday Stephen.
- ₦5,000,020 transferred on February 25, 2026, from an account identified as belonging to Callistus Obiejezie.
- An additional ₦5 million linked to a UBA account associated with Dr. Audu.
The total inflows reflected in the records amount to ₦49,440,746.80.
₦44 Million Paid To Nizamiye Hospital Abuja
Also drawing attention are three separate payments made to Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja.
According to the records:
- ₦15 million was transferred to the hospital on February 20, 2026.
- ₦14 million was transferred six days later on February 26, 2026.
- Another ₦15 million payment was also recorded.
The three payments total ₦44 million.
However, sources close to Dr. Audu reportedly stated that Nizamiye Hospital confirmed the payments were made for the medical treatment of a young girl who later died.
Other Transactions Listed In Documents
The documents also show additional transactions involving significant sums of money.
Among them are:
- ₦7.4 million transferred to Abdulganiyyu Ali Uba on February 9, 2026.
- ₦6.2 million transferred to the same beneficiary on September 2, 2025.
- ₦5 million transferred to an account belonging to Audu Echuseh on January 20, 2026.
Several bank accounts linked to Dr. Audu and Katuka’s Kitchen across multiple financial institutions were also listed in the documents reviewed.
Questions Over Conflict Of Interest
Observers have pointed to provisions of Nigeria’s Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which contains the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and restricts public officials from placing themselves in situations where personal interests may conflict with official responsibilities.
Attention has also been drawn to Section 57 of the Public Procurement Act 2007, which addresses conflict-of-interest concerns in public procurement processes.
While no wrongdoing has been established, the transactions have generated public interest due to Dr. Audu’s position as head of Taraba State’s emergency management agency and the critical role the agency plays in delivering relief materials to vulnerable citizens.
Earlier Relief Material Diversion Allegations
The latest revelations come months after allegations surfaced on social media accusing the agency of diverting more than 10,000 bags of rice and over 1,000 cartons of groundnut oil intended for internally displaced persons and vulnerable residents.
Following the allegations, Dr. Audu voluntarily presented herself to the police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the office of the Special Adviser on Security to the Taraba State Governor, and the Ministry of Justice, requesting investigations into the claims.
She consistently denied any involvement in the alleged diversion and maintained that the allegations should be thoroughly investigated.
As public attention continues to focus on the matter, questions remain regarding the LPRES transaction involving Katuka’s Kitchen, the inflows totaling ₦49.4 million, and the ₦44 million paid to Nizamiye Hospital.
At the time of filing this report, Dr. Echuseh Audu was yet to respond to calls and messages seeking her reaction to the financial records and allegations.
