The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against Jimi Lawal, a former aide to the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
Lawal, who served as a senior adviser to Governor El-Rufai and a counsellor at the Kaduna Economic Development Council between 2019 and 2023, is facing a five-count charge. He also previously worked as El-Rufai’s special adviser during his first term.
The actions were allegedly committed in 2018 when Lawal was accused of taking control of N10 million from the Kaduna State Accountant General’s Operational Account and transferring the funds to an account owned by Solar Life Nigeria Limited, a company for which he was the sole signatory.
In addition, Lawal is accused of taking control of N47.8 million from the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance, which was similarly moved to the Solar Life account. The ICPC alleges that Lawal knew these funds were
Further charges include the alleged misappropriation of N7.3 million from the Kaduna State Internally Generated Revenue account and a false statement made to investigators in October 2024, claiming that the funds were paid to individuals as estacode.
The ICPC stated that these alleged actions violate several provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Lawal will stand trial alongside Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited.
Source: Nigerian Politics
