The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday, July 21, 2025, opened its case against Olajimi Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Lawal is facing trial alongside three other individuals at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by Justice R.M. Aikawa.
The case stems from allegations of improper estacode payments and the abuse of public office. The ICPC alleges that while serving in the Kaduna State government, the defendants were involved in fraudulent financial activities related to official travel allowances and misuse of government funds.
Lawal, who held a prominent position in the El-Rufai-led administration, is central to the charges being pressed by the ICPC, which claims the case is part of a broader probe into financial mismanagement and corruption within the state’s former leadership.
During the first hearing, the prosecution brought forward three key witnesses, all of whom previously held top positions in the Kaduna State government. They were: Mrs. Aisha Dikko Kalil, who served as Attorney-General from 2019 to 2023; Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf, former Head of Service; and Mr. Samuel Aruwan, former Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.
Testifying in court, Mrs. Kalil explained that although the state government paid her tuition fees for overseas training directly to the institutions involved, estacode allowances were instead paid into her personal Guaranty Trust Bank account. She admitted to receiving over ₦5 million as estacodes but firmly stated that none of those funds came from Mr. Lawal.
The prosecution submitted supporting documentation, including bank statements and official approval letters, as part of its evidence.
Also giving evidence, Mrs. Yusuf testified that she received approximately ₦15 million in estacodes for official international trips. These payments, she said, came from the Ministry of Finance and were credited to her personal account. She acknowledged her acquaintance with Mr. Lawal but denied ever receiving any money from him.
Mr. Aruwan, who had previously served as spokesperson to El-Rufai before becoming a commissioner, told the court that his foreign trainings were fully sponsored by the United States Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser. He insisted he never collected any estacode from the state government or Mr. Lawal.
During proceedings, the prosecution attempted to tender a written statement by Aruwan, which had been submitted to the ICPC. However, defence counsel opposed the move, arguing that the document was acquired during the ongoing trial and should not be admissible under procedural law.
Justice Aikawa subsequently adjourned the trial to September 24, 2025, to rule on the admissibility of the statement and continue with the hearing.
The ICPC reiterated that the prosecution is a significant step in its ongoing campaign to tackle public sector corruption and ensure transparency in governance.
In a previous report published by Chronicles Reporters in August 2024, it was revealed that Jimi Lawal had been detained by the ICPC over allegations tied to a questionable Light Rail Project valued at ₦11 billion. The report disclosed that, despite the full payment made for the rail project, there was no corresponding contract documentation to justify the expenditure.
Lawal had appeared before ICPC investigators in relation to the matter, which remains part of the agency’s extensive corruption investigations.
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