Jimi Lawal, the former senior adviser to Nasir el-Rufai, the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, has been summoned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for questioning related to allegations of financial misconduct. Lawal, who served as the Chairman of the Kaduna State Economic Development Council and was also a special adviser during el-Rufai’s initial term, is expected to attend an interview scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2024, following a prior request for rescheduling due to nationwide protests.

The ICPC’s formal invitation to Lawal, dated August 12, 2024, details a series of documents that he is required to bring. These documents include: a copy of his appointment letter with the Kaduna State Government from 2015 to 2023, details of all companies associated with him, a comprehensive statement of all bank accounts from 2015 to 2023 in both soft and hard copies, schedules of all his investments to date, and any other relevant documents.

In response to the invitation, Lawal issued a statement through his media officer, Austin Oniyokor, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation. The statement clarifies that Lawal missed a call from an unknown number on August 1, 2024. Upon returning the call, he was informed by an ICPC official of an invitation to appear at the Commission’s headquarters the following day. This coincided with the start of the #EndBadGovernance protests, leading Lawal to request a rescheduling. The ICPC official agreed to this request.

Lawal subsequently reached out to the official on August 12, 2024, to inquire about a new date for the interview. The official then sent a revised invitation letter at midnight on August 12, scheduling the interview for August 14. Lawal’s statement questioned claims that he had absconded, asserting that the short notice and his proactive communication with the ICPC demonstrate his commitment to cooperating with the investigation.

Lawal’s statement also dismissed reports suggesting that he has been placed on a watchlist, describing such claims as unfounded. He underscored his belief that the investigation is driven by political motivations rather than genuine concerns about financial misconduct. Lawal refuted allegations of involvement in a financial scandal involving N11 billion, arguing that the figures cited, such as N144 million, are misrepresented and do not accurately reflect the reality.

The ongoing scrutiny of Lawal is part of a broader investigation into the administration of Nasir el-Rufai. In June, the Kaduna State House of Assembly recommended an inquiry into el-Rufai’s tenure, citing allegations of fund diversion and money laundering. This recommendation followed a report from an ad hoc committee tasked with reviewing the state’s financial activities under el-Rufai. The assembly accused the former governor’s administration of misappropriating N423 billion and has also called for a probe into other former officials, including Muyiwa Adekeye, el-Rufai’s former media and communications adviser.

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated attacks. As the investigation unfolds, both Lawal and el-Rufai maintain their stance that these accusations are part of a politically charged campaign rather than evidence of genuine wrongdoing. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing debates about the motivations and implications of the investigation into the former administration.