Crime
ICPC Summons el-Rufai’s Ex-Aide Over Fraud Allegations
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has summoned Jimi Lawal, a former aide to Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna.
Lawal, who was a senior adviser and counselor on the Kaduna Economic Development Council from 2019 to 2023, also served as el-Rufai’s special adviser during his first term.
In a letter dated August 12, the ICPC scheduled Lawal’s interview for Wednesday, following his request to reschedule due to the nationwide protests.
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The letter reads, “Pursuant to the provision of Section 28(1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and your request to reschedule the interview to a later date due to the nationwide protest.
“Also, you are requested to come along with the following documents: i. Copy of appointment/engagement letter with Kaduna State Government from 2015-2023. ii. Details of all companies associated to you. iii. Statement of all bank accounts from 2015 to 2023 (soft and hard copies). iv. Schedules of all your investments to date. v. Any other relevant document(s).
However, in a statement released by his media officer, Austin Oniyokor, Lawal expressed that he is not afraid of the investigation.
The statement said, “On the 1st of August, 2024, Lawal missed a call from an unknown number. As a highly courteous and responsible citizen, when he called the line back, the person at the other end identified himself as an ICPC official and that he had an invitation letter dated 1st August, 2024, for him to appear at headquarters of the Commission the next day.”
“Recall that that was the week the #Endbadgovernanceprotest commenced. He (Lawal) drew the attention of the ICPC official to this notorious fact and asked for a rescheduling till after the protest; a request which the official consented to.
“On Monday, 12th August, 2024, Lawal on his own volition called the official to ask for the new date since the protest was over. The official said he would check their schedule and get back to him.
“At about midnight on Monday, 12th August, 2024, the official sent the soft copy of the invitation dated 12th August, 2024, to him.
He also stated that reports claiming he has been placed on a watchlist are inaccurate.
“Tomorrow is Wednesday, 14th August, 2024. So, how can someone who got a letter of invitation at about midnight on Monday, 12th August, 2024, asking him to report on Wednesday, 14th August, 2024, be said to have absconded? Why watchlist someone who called you to ask for an appointment since he has nothing to hide?” the statement added.
“As a Senior Counsellor and Chairman, Kaduna State Economic Development Council, Lawal had no budget and authority to approve contracts.
“It is clear from the foregoing facts that this so-called investigation is malicious and politically-motivated. It is the reason orchestrated media reports are being churned out to smear Lawal’s image in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public even before he is heard.
“Otherwise, how does N144 million allegedly traced to his account from some private companies translate to N11 billion?
“So, all the noise about N11 billion light rail project is nothing but hot air. No matter how fast and far lies go, the truth will catch up with it. Our faith in the country and the judiciary remains unshaken. We sure will have our day at the appropriate time and fora.”
Professional efforts of the Nigerian Navy (NN) has led to discovery of crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in Rivers and Delta States.
It was gathered that operatives of the NN discovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and about 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in both states.
These unfolded during separate operations by NN Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on August 31, 2026, relying on credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operations also led to the discovery of illegal refining infrastructure, including a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil.
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He said the operations represented a significant disruption to the activities of oil thieves and illegal refiners, particularly by targeting the infrastructure used to store and process stolen petroleum products.
Folorunsho added that the identified sites, facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures.
The latest operations, the Navy said, underscored its continued efforts to sustain pressure on criminal networks operating in the oil-producing region and deny them access to infrastructure required to carry out crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The Navy also reiterated its commitment to supporting efforts to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas resources and curb activities capable of undermining the country’s economy and environment.
Drama unfolded at the Upper Area Court 2 in Otukpo, Benue State, as a former councillor, Daniel Ujah, was remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre over alleged assault and attempted culpable homicide.
Ujah, 43, who represented Awume-Icho Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area, was arraigned by the Nigeria Police on charges including criminal trespass, intimidation, criminal force and assault, causing grievous hurt, and attempted culpable homicide.
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The charges followed a petition filed by Rebecca Adole at the Area Commander’s Office in Otukpo, according to the First Information Report marked CR33/2026.
The police alleged that on August 28, 2026, Ujah trespassed into the compound of Adole’s mother, Amina Iduh, at Akwutulo, Awume, where he allegedly assaulted her.
According to the FIR, Iduh had returned from the farm when she was allegedly attacked, beaten and pushed into a fire, leaving her with injuries to her buttocks. Her clothes were also reportedly burnt during the incident.
The police said the woman was subsequently taken to a hospital in Onyagede, Ohimini Local Government Area, where she is receiving treatment.
Ujah was also accused of threatening to kill the woman and allegedly claiming that nobody would be able to stop him.
When the case came up for mention on Wednesday, Ujah pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His counsel, Rev. O. Simon, who held brief for P.O. Ella, applied for bail, but the prosecuting counsel, Inspector Nancy Alechenu, opposed the application.
Presiding magistrate, Hasia Garuba, subsequently ordered that Ujah be remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The court adjourned the case until September 22, 2026, for further mention.
The Lagos State Police Command has declared two men, Tomiloye Sunday and Oloyede Olowoyo, wanted over an alleged N115 million fraud.
The suspects were declared wanted by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, following allegations that they conspired with others still at large to obtain N115 million from a complainant under false pretences.
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Separate wanted notices issued by the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday detailed the allegations against the two men.
According to the police, Sunday is wanted over alleged conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
The command alleged that Sunday conspired with other suspects, who are still at large, to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.
The police notice partly read, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”
Olowoyo was also declared wanted over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The police alleged that he similarly conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.
The notice stated, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”
The police identified Sunday’s last known address as Ikorodu, Lagos, and described him as a short, medium-built Yoruba man with a round face, upturned nose, small mouth, thin lips and dark complexion. He was also said to be bald.
Olowoyo’s last known address was given as No. 1, Commercial Avenue, Highway Barracks, Sabo, Lagos.
He was described as a heavy-built Yoruba man with a round face, long pointed nose, medium mouth, thick lips, prominent eyes and light complexion.
The command urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of either suspect to report to the nearest police station or the SCID, Musiliu Smith Street, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
Members of the public can also contact the police on 07073457317.
The allegations against the two men have not been established in court.
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