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![Lateef Fagbemi , the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. [Punch]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Lateef Fagbemi , the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. [Punch]")
Lawal is under investigation for his role in what the ICPC suspects to be a non-existent project that was nonetheless fully paid for.
According to sources within the ICPC, Lawal was expected to appear before a team of investigators but failed to show up, nor did he send a representative.
The commission, which has intensified its probe into Lawal's financial dealings, has also requested that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) place him on a watchlist.
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This measure aims to prevent him from fleeing the country to avoid prosecution.
According to The Nation, a copy of the ICPC's letter to the DSS and NIS detailing the allegations against Lawal was made available to them.
"I have nothing to hide": Lawal refutes claims of ducking ICPC
![Jimi Lawal vehemently denied claims that he evaded the ICPC's invite for interrogation. [Vanguard]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'790'%20height%3D'445'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Jimi Lawal vehemently denied claims that he evaded the ICPC's invite for interrogation. [Vanguard]")
Jimi Lawal vehemently denied claims that he evaded the ICPC's invite for interrogation. [Vanguard]
Pulse Nigeria
Meanwhile, Lawal has vehemently denied media reports suggesting that he is on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) watchlist.
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In a statement released by his media office, Lawal clarified that he missed an ICPC official's call on August 1, 2024, and subsequently requested to reschedule his interview due to the nationwide #Endbadgovernanceprotest.
"I have nothing to hide," Lawal asserted, explaining that he proactively contacted the ICPC to arrange a new appointment date.
In the statement made available to Pulse Nigeria, Lawal emphasised that he received the official invitation letter late on August 12, 2024, instructing him to appear on August 14, 2024.
"How can someone who got a letter at midnight be said to have absconded?" he questioned, suggesting that the investigation is politically motivated.
Dismissing the allegations of his involvement in an ₦11 billion light rail project as "hot air," Lawal reiterated his confidence in the judiciary and his commitment to clearing his name.
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"No matter how fast and far lies go, the truth will catch up with it," he concluded.
Allegations against Lawal
The letter notes that Lawal, originally from Ogun State, is being investigated for "criminal conspiracy" and "obtaining loans (foreign and domestic) without following due process."
It also revealed that Lawal's bank account, held with a major financial institution, recorded receipts totalling ₦144 million from four private companies.
The commission fears that the former aide may be planning to evade justice, prompting the issuance of the watchlist order.
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In a broader investigation into the previous administration in Kaduna State, the ICPC has also summoned 20 top officials and the Managing Director of a company in connection with $350 million in loans.
These funds were ostensibly allocated to rehabilitate schools and other strategic infrastructure projects.
The officials, who will undergo interrogation from August 13 to August 16, include project coordinators and accountants from various state-run programs.
Suspected accomplices in Lawal's alleged fraudulent schemes
Mariam Sani Dangaji, Project Coordinator of the Kaduna State Transportation Programme, and Nicolas Hassan Samuel, the program's Project Accountant, were among those invited.
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Other key figures include Yahaya Aminu, the Project Coordinator for the Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS), and Nasiru Dahiru, the Project Accountant for APPEALS.
The investigation extends to multiple sectors, reflecting the scope of alleged financial mismanagement during El-Rufai's tenure.
Petition against El-Rufai
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. [Facebook/Getty Images]
Pulse Nigeria
An anonymous source within the ICPC disclosed, "We received numerous petitions regarding the El-Rufai administration. These petitions were thoroughly vetted to ensure they were not baseless.
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"Some even came through law firms, adding to their credibility. Based on our preliminary findings, it has become essential to interrogate these individuals."
This investigation adds a new dimension to the growing scrutiny of El-Rufai's administration.
In June, the ad-hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly reported that approximately ₦423 billion was siphoned from state coffers between May 2015 and May 2023.
This is politically motivated - El-Rufai reacts to Kaduna Assembly's probe
Pulse Nigeria
The committee also discovered the withdrawal of $1.4 million from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account, raising further questions about the administration's financial practices.
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The Assembly's report also recommended that eight individuals and companies refund over ₦19 billion for work that was either not done or overpaid.
Additionally, 15 contractors were directed to refund ₦36 billion under similar circumstances.
Despite the mounting allegations, El-Rufai has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, accusing the House of Assembly of denying him a fair hearing.
He has since taken legal action to challenge the committee's report, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle.
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