The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a five-count charge of embezzlement against Jimi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State.
The case, filed on January 15, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, is registered under charge number FCH/KD/16c/2025. The Assistant Chief Legal Officer of the ICPC, Dr. Osuobeni Ekpi Akponimishingha, filed the charges.
Jimi Lawal faces the charges alongside Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited. The allegations stem from financial mismanagement during his tenure in public office.
Allegations of Corruption
According to the ICPC, in 2018, Jimi Lawal “indirectly took control” of ₦10 million from the Kaduna State Accountant-General Operational Account. The funds were allegedly transferred into the bank account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, for which Lawal was the sole signatory.
The ICPC claimed that Lawal “ought to have known” the funds were proceeds of corruption, thus violating Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In another count, he is accused of transferring ₦47.84 million from the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance’s account in July 2018.
Further allegations reveal that in September 2018, Lawal took control of ₦7.32 million from the Kaduna State Internally Generated Revenue account. The funds were reportedly transferred to Solar Life Nigeria Limited, his company.
The ICPC asserts that Lawal was aware the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity, making his actions a contravention of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
False Statements
The charges also allege that in October 2024, Jimi Lawal made false statements during an ICPC investigation. Lawal reportedly claimed that ₦64.8 million—received in three separate tranches of ₦10 million, ₦47.84 million, and ₦7.32 million—had been paid as estacode to two individuals, Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed and Aisha Dikko.
The ICPC contends that this statement was false, accusing Lawal of contravening Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The case highlights the ICPC’s ongoing efforts to address corruption and financial mismanagement within government institutions.
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