ICPC Files Corruption Charges Against Ex-El-Rufai Aide Jimi Lawal
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 to the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
The charges, under case number FCH/KD/16c/2025, were filed on January 15 at the Federal High Court in Kaduna by Dr. Osuobeni Ekpi Akponimishingha, ICPC’s Assistant Chief Legal Officer. Lawal is charged alongside Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited.
According to the ICPC, Lawal allegedly misappropriated ₦10 million from the Kaduna State Accountant-General Operational Account in 2018, transferring it to Solar Life Nigeria Limited, a company account where he was the sole signatory. The funds were purportedly proceeds of corruption, violating Sections 18(2)(d) and 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The ICPC also accused Lawal of taking ₦47.84 million from the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance and ₦7.32 million from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue account in 2018, transferring the amounts to Solar Life Nigeria Limited.
Additionally, in October 2024, Lawal allegedly made false statements to investigators, claiming that ₦64.8 million received in three tranches was paid as estacode to government officials. The ICPC alleges these funds were unlawfully acquired, violating the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The court is yet to set a date for the hearing soon.
