ICPC Arraigns Former El-Rufai Aide Jimi Lawal And Three Others For Money Laundering

The ICPC has filed a five-count money laundering charge against Jimi Lawal, former aide to Kaduna’s ex-governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Read more about the allegations and court proceedings.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a five-count charge of money laundering against Jimi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser to the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai. The case also involves three other defendants: Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited.

The ICPC filed the charges at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, under case number FCH/KD/16c/2025, on January 15. Dr. Osuobeni Ekpi Akponimishingha, the Assistant Chief Legal Officer of the ICPC, presented the charges.

Allegations Against Jimi Lawal

The ICPC accuses Jimi Lawal of embezzling public funds during his tenure as a Senior Special Adviser/Counsellor to the former governor. The charges outline several instances of alleged misappropriation:

Diversion of ₦10 Million
In 2018, Lawal allegedly transferred ₦10,000,000 from the Kaduna State Accountant-General Operational Account into the bank account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, where he was the sole signatory. The ICPC claims that these funds were part of the proceeds of corruption.
Misuse of ₦47.8 Million
Lawal is also accused of taking control of ₦47,840,000 from the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance’s account in July 2018.
₦7.3 Million from Internally Generated Revenue
In September 2018, Lawal allegedly diverted ₦7,320,562 from the Kaduna State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account to Solar Life Nigeria Limited.

The ICPC asserts that Jimi Lawal knowingly handled funds derived from corrupt activities, violating Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, punishable under Section 18(3) of the same act.

False Statements and Further Allegations

In October 2024, during an ICPC investigation, Lawal allegedly provided false information. He claimed that the total sum of ₦64,800,562—received in three separate transactions (₦10,000,000, ₦47,840,000, and ₦7,320,562)—was disbursed as estacode to government officials Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed and Aisha Dikko.

The ICPC maintains that this statement was false, constituting an offence under Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the same act.

Broader Implications

This case highlights the ICPC’s commitment to tackling corruption in Nigeria and ensuring accountability among public officials. The trial of Jimi Lawal and his co-defendants will serve as a critical test of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws.