The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a five-count charge against Jimi Lawal, a former senior adviser to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, for alleged unlawful diversion of public funds and money laundering.

Lawal, along with Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited, faces accusations of financial misappropriation. The case, numbered FCH/KD/16c/2025, was filed on January 15, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna by ICPC’s Assistant Chief Legal Officer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha.

The ICPC alleges that in 2018, Lawal unlawfully diverted N10 million from the Kaduna State Accountant General Operational Account via Guaranty Trust Bank Automated Payment System (GAPS) into the account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, where he was the sole signatory. According to the commission, Lawal should have known the funds were proceeds of corruption, thus violating provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

In a separate allegation, Lawal is accused of misappropriating N47.84 million from the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance in July 2018, transferring the funds through a GTB account linked to Solar Life Nigeria Limited.

The ICPC also claims that in September 2018, while serving as a public officer, Lawal took control of N7.32 million from the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, transferring the amount to the same Solar Life Nigeria Limited account.

Additionally, Lawal is accused of providing false information to investigators, claiming that the total sum of N64.8 million, received in three tranches, was paid as estacode to individuals named Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed and Aisha Dikko. The ICPC maintains that the statement was false and constitutes an offense under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The charges highlight serious allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, with proceedings set to continue in the Federal High Court.