By Abiola Olawale
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a five-count charge against Jimi Lawal, an ex-aide to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, for alleged money laundering.
Lawal, who served as a senior special adviser and counsellor to El-Rufai, is accused of diverting public funds in 2018.
This development has heightened the growing tension between el-Rufai and his successor and one time political ally, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
Meanwhile, the charges against Jimi Lawal include allegations of taking control of funds from various state accounts, such as the Kaduna State Accountant General Operational Account and transferring them into an account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, a company where Lawal was reportedly the sole signatory.
According to a statement issued by ICPC, Lawal is charged alongside Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited.
Lawal was alleged to have taken control of sums amounting to N10 million, N47.84 million, and N7.32 million from different state accounts, actions which the ICPC claimed contravene the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
These legal actions follow a broader probe into the financial dealings of the El-Rufai administration, with the Kaduna State House of Assembly previously uncovering alleged financial discrepancies.
The charge number, FCH/KD/16c/2025, was filed by the Assistant Chief Legal Officer of ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha on January 15, 2025, at the federal high court in Kaduna.
The commission said: “Lawal ought to have known that the funds were part of proceeds of corruption, and by doing so, he allegedly committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022”.
The ICPC also accused Lawal of indirectly taking control of N47,840,000 from the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance through GTB Account number 0130133086 in July 2018.
In another count, ICPC alleged that Jimi Lawal in September 2018, while serving as a public officer in Kaduna State as Senior Special Adviser/Counsellor to Governor El-Rufai, took control of N7,320,562 from the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service account domiciled in United Bank for Africa account number 10200067882, and later transferred it to Guaranty Trust Bank Account number 0130133086 of Solar Life Nigeria Limited.
In another count, Lawal was accused of making false statements to Messrs Wellington Nkemadu and Gudi Johnson Daniel during their investigative duties.
According to the charge, Lawal claimed that the total sum of N64,800,562 received in three tranches of N10,000,000, N47,840,000 and N7,320,562 from the Kaduna State Government through the Guaranty Trust Bank Account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, was paid to Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed and Aisha Dikko as estacode.
Recall that the Kaduna State House of Assembly had set up an ad hoc committee to investigate finances, loans, and contracts awarded under his administration.
Following an investigation, the committee recommended a probe into El-Rufai for abuse of office and money laundering, citing the misappropriation of N423 billion and leaving the state with significant debt.
However, El-Rufai responded by filing a lawsuit against the Kaduna State House of Assembly, challenging the findings of the committee and alleging defamation of character.
He publicly denied these allegations, asserting his integrity. He also accused these probes of being politically motivated.
