By Cheta Enyoghasi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai’s ex-aide, Jimi Lawal, for alleged fraud.
Lawal served as a senior adviser and counsellor on the Kaduna economic development council and as el-Rufai’s special adviser during his first term.
In a letter dated August 12, the ICPC scheduled Lawal’s interview for Wednesday, after the former aide requested a reschedule due to the nationwide protests.
The letter requested him to provide documents such as an appointment letter with
Kaduna State Government, company details, bank account statements, investments schedules, and other relevant documents.
The letter reads. “Pursuant to the provision of Section 28(1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and your request to reschedule the interview to a later date due to the nationwide protest,”
“Also, you are requested to come along with the following documents: i. Copy of appointment/engagement letter with Kaduna State Government from 2015-2023. ii. Details of all companies associated to you. iii. Statement of all bank accounts from 2015 to 2023 (soft and hard copies). iv. Schedules of all your investments to date. v. Any other relevant document(s).”
Lawal said in a statement sent through his media officer, Austin Oniyokor, that he is not afraid of a probe. He said missed a call from an unknown number on August 1st, 2024, called back and found an ICPC official with an invitation letter for him to appear at the Commission’s headquarters the next day.
According to reports, he drew their attention to the #Endbadgovernance protest and requested a rescheduling for the meeting and the official agreed and sent the invitation to him on August 12th.
The statement reads. “On the 1st of August, 2024, Lawal missed a call from an unknown number. As a highly courteous and responsible citizen, when he called the line back, the person at the other end identified himself as an ICPC official and that he had an invitation letter dated 1st August, 2024, for him to appear at headquarters of the Commission the next day.
“Recall that that was the week the #Endbadgovernanceprotest commenced.
“He (Lawal) drew the attention of the ICPC official to this notorious fact and asked for a rescheduling till after the protest; a request which the official consented to.
“On Monday, 12th August, 2024, Lawal on his own volition called the official to ask for the new date since the protest was over. The official said he would check their schedule and get back to him.
“At about midnight on Monday, 12th August, 2024, the official sent the soft copy of the invitation dated 12th August, 2024, to him.”
Additionally he denied being placed on a watch list and that he has nothing to hide.
He stated that the investigation is malicious and politically-motivated, and that orchestrated media reports are being churned out to smear his image.
He further questioned how N144 million allegedly traced to his account from private companies translates to N11 billion. He stated that the noise about the N11 billion light rail project is nothing but hot air and that the truth will catch up with it.
“Tomorrow is Wednesday, 14th August, 2024. So, how can someone who got a letter of invitation at about midnight on Monday, 12th August, 2024, asking him to report on Wednesday, 14th August, 2024, be said to have absconded? Why watchlist someone who called you to ask for an appointment since he has nothing to hide?
“As a Senior Counsellor and Chairman, Kaduna State Economic Development Council, Lawal had no budget and authority to approve contracts.
“It is clear from the foregoing facts that this so-called investigation is malicious and politically-motivated. It is the reason orchestrated media reports are being churned out to smear Lawal’s image in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public even before he is heard.
“Otherwise, how does N144 million allegedly traced to his account from some private companies translate to N11 billion?
“So, all the noise about N11 billion light rail project is nothing but hot air. No matter how fast and far lies go, the truth will catch up with it. Our faith in the country and the judiciary remains unshaken.
“We sure will have our day at the appropriate time and fora.” the statement added.
