Jimi Lawal, a former aide to the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been placed on a watch-list by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). The move follows allegations that Lawal was involved in a scandal surrounding a government project valued at N11 billion.
As a former Special Adviser to the governor, Lawal is under investigation for his role in the suspected fraudulent activities linked to the project. Both the DSS and NIS are monitoring his movements and activities closely as the investigation continues.
It has been reported that Lawal was summoned for questioning but failed to appear. This prompted the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to request that the DSS and NIS place him on a watch-list across airports, seaports, and land borders to prevent his possible escape from the country.
A letter from the ICPC to the DSS and NIS stated: “The above-mentioned person (Lawal Shakiru Olujimi Adebisi), who hails from Ogun State and is fluent in Yoruba and English, is being investigated for criminal conspiracy. Credible information available to the commission suggests that the suspect, who is under investigation, is likely to flee the country to avoid prosecution.”
The letter further requested that Lawal be placed on a watch-list and arrested if spotted at any airport, seaport, or land border, with the relevant authorities notified immediately.
The ICPC’s investigation also uncovered N144 million in Lawal’s bank account, which was reportedly funneled through four private companies. In addition, twenty senior officials and a company’s Managing Director have been called in for questioning regarding $350 million in loans intended for school rehabilitation and infrastructure projects.
This investigation is part of a broader probe into the activities of El-Rufai’s administration. In June, an ad-hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly claimed that N423 billion was siphoned from state funds between 2015 and 2023, along with the withdrawal of $1.4 million from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account.
El-Rufai has refuted all allegations, stating that he was not given a fair opportunity to defend himself before the House of Assembly.
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