The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu, the former Chief of Staff to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, with allegations of money laundering. The case was brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna. Saidu, who also held the position of Commissioner of Finance under El-Rufai’s administration, is being prosecuted alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a public officer in the Ministry of Finance.
The defendants are facing a two-count charge related to money laundering, refuting earlier claims that Saidu had been cleared of allegations following a 10-month investigation. According to court documents, Saidu, in his capacity as Commissioner of Finance in March 2022, allegedly accepted a cash payment of N155 million from Muktar. The sum reportedly exceeded the legal cash transaction limit and was facilitated through Saidu’s Special Assistant, Muazu Abdu.
The ICPC asserts that this act violates Section 2(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which is punishable under Section 19(d) of the same Act.
Additionally, Saidu is accused of indirectly taking control of the N155 million through Muazu Abdu, who allegedly received the money from Muktar. The commission claims that Saidu should have reasonably known the funds were proceeds of corruption, contravening Section 18(2)(d) of the Act.
Under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering Act, anyone found guilty of such offences faces penalties, including a prison term ranging from 4 to 14 years, a fine of at least five times the value of the proceeds, or both.
The charge sheet, signed by ICPC Assistant Chief Legal Officer, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, was officially filed on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
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