ICPC money laundering case progresses as Kaduna court rejects defence objection and admits Samuel Aruwan’s testimony in ₦64.8m diversion trial

ICPC money laundering case against former Kaduna State officials took a decisive turn on Friday as the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna dismissed a defence objection and admitted the written statement of Mr. Samuel Aruwan, the third prosecution witness.

Also read: ICPC’s estacode fraud trial begins for El-Rufai’s former aide Olajimi Lawal over foreign training payments

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is prosecuting Mr. Jimi Lawal, former Senior Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, alongside former Accountant-General Umar Waziri, former Commissioner for Finance Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited, a firm whose account allegedly received diverted state funds.

According to case file FHC/KD/16C/2025, the defendants are accused of conspiring to divert ₦64.8 million through three separate transfers into the company’s account, where Lawal is reportedly the sole signatory.

During the proceedings, the prosecution presented three witnesses Aisha Dikko Kalil, former Kaduna Attorney-General; Bariyatu Yusuf, former Head of Service; and Samuel Aruwan, the current Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security.

All three denied receiving estacodes from Lawal, who had claimed the funds were meant for official trainings.

In his testimony, Aruwan stated that his professional trainings were sponsored by the United States Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), not the Kaduna State Government.

He clarified that while he knew Lawal professionally, he neither received any estacode payments from him nor from the state.

The ICPC sought to tender Aruwan’s written statement as evidence, but defence counsel objected, arguing that it was obtained while the trial was ongoing.

Delivering a firm ruling, Justice R. M. Aikawa held that the witness was not an interested party and therefore dismissed the objection. The statement was admitted as Exhibit 9, allowing the prosecution to complete its examination-in-chief.

When the matter resumed for cross-examination, J. J. Usman, SAN, counsel to the second defendant, was represented by a junior colleague who requested an adjournment due to his absence.

The court granted the application and adjourned to 3rd November 2025 for continuation of hearing.

Also read: ICPC project tracking North Nigeria hits ₦271bn

The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in public service, describing the case as part of its broader effort to strengthen governance across Nigeria.