ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai’s Ex-Chief of Staff Over Alleged ₦155m Money Laundering
ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai’s Ex-Chief of Staff Over Alleged ₦155m Money Laundering
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu, a former Chief of Staff to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, with alleged money laundering. The charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Saidu, who also served as Commissioner of Finance during El-Rufai’s administration, is being tried alongside Ibrahim Muktar, identified as a public officer with the Ministry of Finance.
The court document alleges that in March 2022, Saidu, while serving as Finance Commissioner, accepted a cash payment of ₦155 million through a proxy, Muazu Abdu, his Special Assistant, from Muktar. The ICPC contends that the transaction exceeded the amount authorized by law, thereby violating Section 2(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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The ICPC further claims that Saidu “indirectly took control” of the ₦155 million, which he ought to have known constituted proceeds of unlawful activity, specifically corruption. This act is said to contravene Section 18(2)(d) and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering Act.
Section 18(3) stipulates penalties of imprisonment ranging from four to fourteen years or fines of at least five times the value of the proceeds of the crime, or both.
The charge was signed by Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, Assistant Chief Legal Officer of the ICPC, and was filed on Monday at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
