ICPC Drags Ex-Governor El-Rufai’s Former Aide, Three Others To Court For Abuse Of Office
ICPC Drags Ex-Governor El-Rufai’s Former Aide, Three Others To Court For Abuse Of Office
The case, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), borders on alleged fraudulent estacode payments and abuse of public office while the defendants served in various capacities under the Kaduna State government.
The trial of an aide to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Mr. Olajimi Adebisi Lawal, alongside three others, commenced on Monday, July 21, 2025, before Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The case, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), borders on alleged fraudulent estacode payments and abuse of public office while the defendants served in various capacities under the Kaduna State government.
Lawal, a key figure in the El-Rufai administration, is being tried in connection with financial improprieties, which the ICPC says are part of wider investigations into mismanagement of public funds.
During Monday’s hearing, the prosecution called three witnesses — all former senior government officials — to testify.
They include former Attorney-General of the state (2019–2023), Mrs. Aisha Dikko Kalil; former Head of Service, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf; and ex-Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan.
In her testimony, Mrs. Kalil stated that while the Kaduna State government directly paid her foreign training tuition fees to the respective institutions, estacode payments were sent to her personal Guaranty Trust Bank account.
She disclosed receiving over ₦5million in estacodes, but maintained that she did not receive any funds from Mr. Lawal.
Supporting documents including account statements and approval letters were submitted in court.
Similarly, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf confirmed receiving nearly ₦15 million in estacode payments for official foreign trips, also paid into her personal account by the Ministry of Finance.
She clarified that she never collected any money from Mr. Lawal, although she acknowledged knowing him.
Mr. Aruwan, who served as El-Rufai’s spokesman before becoming a commissioner, stated that his foreign trainings were funded entirely by the United States Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He denied receiving any estacode payments from either the Kaduna State Government or Mr. Lawal.
The prosecution attempted to tender Mr. Aruwan’s written statement to the ICPC as evidence, but the defence objected on procedural grounds, arguing it was obtained during the pendency of the trial.
Justice Aikawa adjourned the matter to September 24, 2025, for ruling on the admissibility of the statement and continuation of hearing.
The ICPC emphasised that the case forms part of its broader efforts to curb corruption and promote accountability in public service.
In August 2024, SaharaReporters reported that Jimi Lawal, former Special Adviser to immediate past Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was detained by the ICPC over alleged phoney Light Rail Project valued at N11 billion.
It was learnt that there was no contract file for the implementation of the purported light rail but it was allegedly paid for in full.
Lawal had appeared before the ICPC team of investigators.
