ICPC Charges Former El-Rufai Aide with Money Laundering

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu, a former Chief of Staff and Finance Commissioner under Malam Nasir el-Rufai, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

Saidu is charged alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a public officer employed by the Ministry of Finance. The duo faces a two-count charge related to money laundering, as outlined in charge No FHC/KD/IC/2025.

This development contradicts previous claims that Saidu had been cleared of all charges following a 10-month investigation.

The court documents reveal that in March 2022, Saidu, in his capacity as Commissioner of Finance, allegedly accepted a cash payment of N155,000,000 from Ibrahim Muktar, an amount exceeding the legal limit. Saidu is said to have received the funds indirectly through his Special Assistant, Muazu Abdu, which is an offense under Section 2(a) and punishable under Section 19(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Furthermore, the ICPC alleges that Saidu, in March 2022, indirectly took control of the N155,000,000 received on his behalf by Muazu Abdu from Muktar. The commission asserts that Saidu knew or ought to have known that the funds were likely proceeds from unlawful activities, specifically corruption. This constitutes another offense under Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, punishable under Section 18(3).

Section 18(3) of the Act stipulates that anyone convicted of this offense could face imprisonment for a term between four and fourteen years, or a fine not less than five times the value of the illicit funds, or both.

The charge, signed by ICPC’s Assistant Chief Legal Officer, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, was filed on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.