ICPC begins prosecution of ex-gov El-Rufai’s former aide over alleged fraud

The trial of Mr. Olajimi Shakiru Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and three others began on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

Presided over by Justice R.M. Aikawa, the case was brought forward by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The defendants are facing multiple charges relating to alleged fraudulent estacode claims and abuse of public office during their time in government service.

At the start of proceedings, the prosecution produced three witnesses; Mrs. Aisha Dikko Kalil, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf and Mr. Samuel Aruwan; who are all former senior officials of the Kaduna State Government, to aid its case.

While taking the stand, Mrs. Kalil, who served as Attorney-General of Kaduna State (2019–2023), testified that all tuition fees for the foreign trainings she attended were paid directly by the state government to the respective institutions.

She, however, added that estacode allowances were paid into her personal Guaranty Trust Bank account.

The former Attorney-General confirmed receiving over ₦5m in estacode payments and clarified she never received any such payment from the 1st Defendant, Mr. Jimi Lawal. Mrs. Kalil further added that the tuition fee for courses attended, totaled $9,100

Supporting documents, including her account statement, approvals for foreign training, and certificates, were tendered in evidence.

In the same vein, the former Head of Service of Kaduna State, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf corroborated the process of foreign training sponsorship, stating that course fees and flight tickets were funded by the Ministry of Finance, while estacode payments were sent to her personal account.

She acknowledged receiving just under ₦15m in estacodes and maintained that she never received any funds from Mr. Lawal even though she did not deny knowing him. Her certificates and account details were also tendered in court as evidence.

Meanwhile, the third witness, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who served as the spokesperson and later Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, testified that his trainings were funded by the United States Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser, not the Kaduna State Government.

He stated that although he was professionally acquainted with the 1st Defendant, he neither received estacode allowances from Mr. Lawal nor from the state government.

The ICPC prosecutor, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akpos subsequently sought to tender Mr Aruwan’s written statement to ICPC.

However, the defence counsel objected, citing procedural concerns since the statement was obtained during the pendency of the trial.

Following arguments on the admissibility of the statement, the court adjourned the matter to September 24, 2025, for ruling and continuation of hearing.

The ICPC is prosecuting the case as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.