The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a five-count charge against Jimi Lawal, a former aide to Malam Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of corruption and money laundering.
The case, with charge number FCH/KD/16c/2025, was filed by Dr. Osuobeni Ekpi Akponimishingha, the Assistant Chief Legal Officer of ICPC, on January 15, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Mr. Jimi Lawal, who served as Senior Special Adviser/Counsellor to former Governor El-Rufai, is charged alongside Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited.
The complainant alleged that, sometime in 2018, Jimi Lawal “indirectly took control of the sum of N10,000,000 from the Kaduna State Accountant General Operational Account 0211139802 via the Guaranty Trust Bank Automated System (GAPS) and paid it into the Guaranty Trust Bank Account 0130133086 of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, an account for which he was the sole signatory.”
The ICPC further stated that Jimi Lawal ought to have known that the funds were part of the proceeds of corruption. By doing so, he allegedly committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In count two of the charges, Jimi Lawal is accused of indirectly taking control of N47,840,000 from the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance through GTB Account 0130133086 in July 2018.
