Jimi Lawal, former Special Adviser to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with a suspected fraudulent Light Rail Project valued at N11 billion.
Lawal is currently being interrogated at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja. Reports indicate that there was no official contract for the light rail project, despite it allegedly being fully paid for.
The ICPC’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, told reporters on Thursday morning that Lawal is still in their custody. “Yes, Lawal is still with us. He came in on Wednesday evening and will be released once he meets his bail conditions,” Bakare stated.
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Lawal, who served as a senior adviser and counsellor on the Kaduna Economic Development Council from 2019 to 2023, and as El-Rufai’s special adviser during his first term, appeared before ICPC investigators on Wednesday.
An ICPC letter dated August 12 had scheduled Lawal’s interview for Wednesday after he requested a postponement due to nationwide protests.
The letter instructed Lawal to provide various documents, including his appointment letter with the Kaduna State Government from 2015-2023, details of associated companies, bank statements, investment schedules, and other relevant documents.
This investigation highlights ongoing scrutiny of corruption allegations against former officials in Nigeria.
