The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced the trial of Olahimi Shakiru Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and three others at the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged mismanagement of public funds.
According to a statement by the ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, proceedings began on Monday, July 21, with three former senior officials of the Kaduna State Government testifying as prosecution witnesses.
The first witness (PW1), Mrs Aisha Dikko Kalil, who served as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice between 2019 and 2023, told the court that the tuition for her foreign training programs was paid directly by the state government to the relevant institutions. However, she confirmed receiving over ₦5 million in estacode allowances into her personal Guaranty Trust Bank account.
Under cross-examination by prosecuting counsel Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akpos, Kalil clarified that none of the estacode payments came from the first defendant, Mr Lawal. The court admitted several documents into evidence, including her account statements, official approvals, and training certificates.
The second prosecution witness (PW2), Mrs Bariyatu Yusuf, a former Head of Service in Kaduna State, corroborated Kalil’s testimony. She explained that the Ministry of Finance handled tuition and flight payments for foreign training, while estacode allowances were paid into her personal bank account. Yusuf said she received just under ₦15 million but denied receiving any funds from Mr Lawal.
Her documents, including training certificates and bank records, were also tendered as evidence.
Testifying as the third prosecution witness (PW3), Mr Samuel Aruwan, a former Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, informed the court that his trainings were sponsored entirely by the United States government and the Office of the National Security Adviser—not the Kaduna State Government. He further stated that he neither received estacode payments from Mr Lawal nor from the state.
When the prosecution attempted to tender Aruwan’s written statement made to the ICPC, the defence counsel objected, arguing that the statement was obtained while the matter was already in court. Following submissions from both parties, the trial judge adjourned the case to September 24 for ruling on the admissibility of the statement and continuation of trial.
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