Three former officials from the administration of Kaduna State’s ex-governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, are slated to appear before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Friday, January 17, 2025. They will face charges of alleged involvement in a N64 million money laundering case.
The individuals include Mr. Lawal Shakiru Olajimi Adebisi, a former Senior Special Adviser to El-Rufai; Mr. Umar Waziri, the state’s ex-accountant general; and Mr. Yusuf Inuwa, the former finance commissioner. Additionally, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly used to facilitate the fraud, has been named in the suit.
ICPC’s Allegations
According to a statement by Demola Bakare, the ICPC Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, the four accused are expected to take their plea on the set date. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) accuses Mr. Lawal of collaborating with the other defendants to divert N64,800,562 in three installments of N10,000,000, N47,840,000, and N7,320,562 into Solar Life Nigeria Limited’s account. Mr. Lawal is alleged to be the sole signatory to this account.
The ICPC further alleges that the funds were misappropriated in a scheme designed to launder public money. The suit, filed at the Kaduna Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, seeks to hold all parties accountable for the alleged crimes.
Related Case Against Another Ex-Commissioner
This case follows another money laundering charge filed by the ICPC against Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, a former Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Finance in Kaduna State. Sa’idu was accused of accepting N155,000,000 in cash from a public officer in the Ministry of Finance.
The ICPC revealed that Sa’idu was arrested by the Kaduna State Police Command several weeks ago on allegations of diverting public funds. Following his arrest, he was remanded at a correctional facility in Kaduna pending further legal proceedings.
Assistant Legal Officer Osuobeni Akponimisingha filed the case against Sa’idu, marking another effort by the ICPC to combat corruption and recover misappropriated funds in the state.
What’s Next?
As the accused individuals prepare to face the court, public attention remains on the ICPC’s efforts to ensure accountability. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria.
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