Defendants Face Fraud and Money Laundering Charges

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted bail to four individuals, including Jimi Lawal, a senior advisor to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The defendants were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on charges of fraud and money laundering involving the diversion of N64.8 million.

The accused include Lawal Adebisi, a former Senior Special Adviser to El-Rufai; Umar Waziri, the former Accountant-General of Kaduna State; and Yusuf Inuwa, a former aide to the former governor. They are alleged to have diverted the funds in three separate transactions to the account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, where Jimi Lawal is reportedly the sole signatory.

Bail Conditions

The court, presided over by Justice Aisha Mohammed, granted the defendants bail under stringent conditions to ensure accountability and compliance:

• Each defendant must provide two sureties with a bond of N50 million each.
• The sureties must own landed properties in Kaduna State, with Certificates of Occupancy to be verified by the court registrar.
• The defendants must deposit their international passports, national passports, green passports, and any official passports with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

Pending the fulfillment of these conditions, the court ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.

Legal Counsel’s Response

Speaking to journalists after the court proceedings, defense counsel Johnson Usman, SAN, expressed optimism that the defendants would meet the bail requirements promptly. He stated, “We are hopeful that the defendants will meet the bail conditions as soon as possible, and they will be released from prison custody.”

Usman further explained, “The court ordered that, pending the perfection of their bail conditions, they should remain in prison custody. We expect to fulfill these conditions in a short time, possibly by tomorrow.”

Allegations and ICPC’s Case

The ICPC alleged that the defendants conspired to divert N64.8 million, which was transferred in three tranches to the bank account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited. The breakdown of the transactions, according to court filings, includes:

• N10 million
• N47.84 million
• N7.32 million

The anti-graft agency asserts that these funds were unlawfully diverted under the defendants’ watch, with Jimi Lawal acting as the primary beneficiary due to his role as the sole signatory of the company’s account.

Defense’s Position

The defendants have denied all allegations, maintaining their innocence. The defense counsel emphasized the readiness to contest the charges in court and prove that the accused did not engage in any fraudulent activities.

Next Steps and Trial Date

The court has adjourned the case to March 26 and 27, 2025, for trial proceedings. Both the prosecution and defense are expected to present evidence and witnesses to substantiate their claims.

Public Reaction and Legal Implications

The case has drawn significant public attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendants and their close association with the former Kaduna State governor. It underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to hold public officials accountable for alleged corruption and financial misconduct.

The stringent bail conditions reflect the court’s commitment to ensuring that the defendants remain accessible throughout the trial, signaling a broader push for transparency and accountability in public office.