The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged Olajimi Lawal, a former Special Adviser/Counsellor to ex-Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud involving over N64.8 million.
Lawal will face trial alongside former Kaduna State Commissioner for Finance Yusuf Inuwa, former Accountant-General Umar Waziri, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly central to the financial irregularities.
Details of the Allegations
According to the ICPC, Lawal misappropriated funds from Kaduna State Government accounts between July and September 2018. The funds, amounting to N64,800,562, were funneled through Solar Life Nigeria Limited, where Lawal was the sole signatory, without evidence of any executed contracts.
The ICPC’s charge sheet, dated January 15, 2025, accuses the defendants of several offenses, including:
- Receiving Illegal Payments: Lawal allegedly received N10 million, N47.8 million, and N7.3 million from state accounts into Solar Life Nigeria Limited without justification.
- False Declarations: Lawal reportedly misled investigators by claiming the funds were paid as estacodes to certain individuals, a statement the ICPC says was false.
- Corruption by Public Officials: The Commissioner for Finance, Accountant-General, and Lawal allegedly conferred undue financial advantages upon Solar Life Nigeria Limited.
ICPC’s Position
The ICPC maintains that the funds were proceeds of corruption, emphasizing that the defendants violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Charges Against the Defendants
Some of the key charges include:
- Money Laundering: Lawal and Solar Life Nigeria Limited are accused of knowingly retaining funds obtained through corrupt means.
- Abuse of Office: The Commissioner for Finance and Accountant-General are charged with facilitating illegal payments.
- False Statements: Lawal is accused of misleading investigators with false claims about the funds' use.
Next Steps
The case will be heard by the Kaduna Division of the Federal High Court. However, a date for arraignment is yet to be fixed.
The ICPC has pledged to pursue the case diligently, reinforcing its commitment to combating corruption in public office.
