The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have started the prosecution of Mr. Olajimi Shakiru Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i.
He is being tried alongside three others over alleged fraudulent estacode payments and abuse of public office.
The case, which commenced on Monday, is being heard by Honourable Justice R.M. Aikawa at the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
The ICPC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said the case forms part of its broader commitment to promote accountability and integrity in the use of public resources.
According to the ICPC, the charges relate to financial misconduct during the defendants’ tenure in public service.
The Commission presented three witnesses: Mrs. Aisha Dikko Kalil, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf, and Mr. Samuel Aruwan—all of whom previously held top positions in the Kaduna State Government.
While testifying, Mrs. Kalil, who served as the state’s Attorney-General from 2019 to 2023, explained that her tuition fees for foreign training were paid directly by the government to the academic institutions involved.
However, she stated, “Estacode allowances were paid into my personal Guaranty Trust Bank account.”
She admitted to receiving over ₦5m in estacode payments and emphasized, “I never received any such payment from the 1st Defendant, Mr. Jimi Lawal.”
She also disclosed that the total tuition fee covered by the government amounted to $9,100.
Her testimony was backed by documents including account statements, course approvals, and training certificates, which were all admitted as evidence.
Similarly, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf, a former Head of Service in Kaduna, corroborated the testimony.
She said the state’s Ministry of Finance paid her course fees and flight tickets, while estacode allowances were deposited directly into her personal account.
She confirmed receiving nearly ₦15m in estacodes and said, “I never received any funds from Mr. Lawal,” although she admitted to knowing him professionally.
Her certificates and financial records were also tendered in court.
The third witness, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who was Kaduna’s Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, testified that his foreign training was sponsored by the United States Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“I neither received estacode allowances from Mr. Lawal nor from the Kaduna State Government,” Aruwan said.
He also clarified that while he had a working relationship with Lawal, there were no financial transactions between them.
During proceedings, ICPC’s lead counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akpos, attempted to submit Mr. Aruwan’s written statement to the Commission as evidence.
However, the defense team raised an objection, arguing that the statement was obtained after the trial had already commenced, thus raising procedural concerns.
The court adjourned the matter to September 24,2025, for ruling on the admissibility of the statement and continuation of the trial.
