The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a five-count charge of unlawful diversion of public funds and money laundering against Jimi Lawal, a former senior councillor and adviser to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Lawal was charged alongside Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa and Solar Life Nigeria Limited for alleged financial misappropriation.
The charge number, FCH/KD/16c/2025, was filed by the Assistant Chief Legal Officer of ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha on January 15, 2025, at the federal high court in Kaduna.
In the charge sheet, the ICPC alleged that Jimi Lawal sometime in 2018, indirectly took control of the sum of N10,000,000 from the Kaduna State Accountant General Operational Account Nigeria 0211139802 via the Guaranty Trust Bank Account Automated System (GAPS) and paid it into the Guaranty Trust Bank Account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, an account for which he was the sole signatory.
The commission said, “Lawal ought to have known that the funds were part of proceeds of corruption, and 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”.
