N11 Billion Scandal: El-Rufai’s Ex-Adviser, Jimi Lawal, on the Run as ICPC Closes In

By Achudu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has summoned Jimi Lawal, former Special Adviser to Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over an alleged N11 billion phoney Light Rail Project.

Lawal failed to appear before ICPC investigators and has been placed on a watch list at airports, seaports, and land borders by the Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

Loans (foreign and domestic) obtained without following due process

The ICPC is probing Lawal for “loans (foreign and domestic) obtained without following due process” and has discovered N144 million in his bank account from four private companies.

Twenty top officials and a company’s Managing Director have also been invited for questioning over $350 million loans meant for school rehabilitation and infrastructure projects.

The investigation is part of a broader probe into the administration of El-Rufai, with the Kaduna House of Assembly’s ad-Hoc Committee alleging N423 billion was siphoned from state coffers between 2015 and 2023.

The committee has requested refunds from individuals and companies totaling N55.5 billion.

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