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N11 Billion Probe: ICPC Obtains Court Permit To Detain Jimi Lawal, For 14 days
A Magistrate’s Court in Abuja has granted the application of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to keep Mr. Jimi Lawal, an ally of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, in custody for 14 days.
The commission opted to detain Lawal because he could not meet the bail terms.
Lawal, who is a former Special Adviser/Senior Counselor to the ex-governor, is being investigated on some projects executed during el-Rufai’s tenure including allegedly failed N11 billion light rail contract.
But Lawal’s counsel has applied to ICPC to vary the bail conditions given to his client.
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 learnt.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “As at Thursday evening, Lawal could not meet any of the bail conditions. We have decided to obtain an order from a Magistrate’s Court to keep him in custody for 14 days.
“We have already served the court order on Lawal to keep him abreast of why he will remain with us for two weeks.
“We have also received a letter from Lawal’s lawyer to vary the bail conditions. We are studying this latest request which we received on Thursday(Yesterday).”
Replying to a question, the source said: “Lawal has been cooperating with our investigators, the ball is in his court to fulfill the terms needed for his bail.
“We are aware that his counsel has given an undertaking to produce him anytime he is wanted for interrogation.”
The source, however, said ICPC will not vacate the watch list request it has sent to the Department of State Service(DSS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS).
A letter to the DSS and the NIS said: “The above mentioned person (Lawal Shakiru Olujimi Adebisi) who hails from Ogun State and speaks Yoruba and English fluently, is being investigated for the offence of criminal conspiracy.
“Credible information at the commission’s disposal suggests that the suspect, who is under investigation, is most likely to flee the country to evade being prosecuted.
“You are therefore kindly requested to place him on the watch-list and arrest him if seen in any of the airports, seaports or land border and inform this commission accordingly.”
But Lawal said there was no need for the watch list because he was never on the run.
He asked ICPC to explain why a public officer without budget will account for a contract of N11 billion.
He alleged that the “so-called investigation by ICPC is malicious and politically-motivated”.
In a statement through his Media Office, Lawal said: “It is clear from the foregoing facts that this so-called investigation is malicious and politically-motivated. It is the reason orchestrated media reports are being churned out to smear Lawal’s image in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public even before he is heard. Otherwise, how does N144 million allegedly traced to his account from some private companies translate to N11 billion?
“As a Senior Counselor and Chairman, Kaduna State Economic Development Council, Lawal had no budget and authority to approve contracts. So, all the noise about N11 billion light rail project is nothing but hot air.
“No matter how fast and far lies go, the truth will catch up with it. Our faith in the country and the judiciary remains unshaken. We sure will have our day at the appropriate time and fora.”
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.
Additional information from The Nation.
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