Jimi Lawal, Nasir El-Rufai
By Victory Oghene
Former Special Adviser to immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai Jimi Lawal who was arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged phoney Light Rail Project valued at N11 billion has spent his second night at the anti-graft agency’s cell.
This is because a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja has granted the application of the ICPC to keep Lawal in custody for 14 days.
The commission opted to detain Lawal because he could not meet the bail terms.
Lawal is being investigated on some projects executed during el-Rufai’s tenure including allegedly failed N11billion light rail contract.
But Lawal’s counsel has applied to ICPC to vary the bail conditions given to his client.
NATIONAL WAVES gathered that Lawal was asked to deposit his international passport and produce two sureties, including a Permanent Secretary and a director in the civil service.
It was alleged that there was no contract file for the implementation of the purported light rail but it was allegedly paid for in full.
Lawal appeared before ICPC team of investigators on Wednesday and is being detained.
The commission’s spokesperson Demola Bakare confirmed on Thursday morning that Lawal was still with them.
“Yes, Lawal is still with us, he came in on Wednesday evening and he will be released when he meets his bail condition,” the spokesperson said.
Lawal was senior adviser and counsellor on the Kaduna Economic Development Council from 2019 to 2023. He also served as El-Rufai’s special adviser in the former governor’s first term.
In a letter dated August 12, the ICPC slated Lawal’s interview for Wednesday, after the former aide requested for a rescheduling due to the nationwide protest.
“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,” the letter reads.
“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).”
