Jimi Lawal, a former Special Adviser to Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, is under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over an alleged fraudulent Light Rail Project valued at ₦11 billion. The ICPC suspects the project may be non-existent despite full payment being made.
Lawal, originally from Ogun State, is being investigated for “criminal conspiracy” and improper loan procurement. The commission has requested that the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) place him on a watchlist to prevent him from fleeing the country.
The ICPC’s investigation extends beyond Lawal, involving 20 other officials from El-Rufai’s administration and the Managing Director of a company linked to $350 million in loans for various state infrastructure projects. This inquiry is part of a broader probe into alleged financial mismanagement during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.
In response, El-Rufai has denied the allegations, calling the investigations politically motivated and has initiated legal action to challenge a related report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused his administration of siphoning approximately ₦423 billion. The ongoing investigations and legal battles suggest that this issue will remain a focal point of public scrutiny in the coming months.