N11b fraud probe: ICPC secures court order to detain El-Rufai’s ally, Jimi Lawal

Following an investigation opened by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja has granted the commission’s application to keep ex-special adviser and ally of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Jimi Lawal, in detention for 14 days over an alleged N11 billion fraud.

The commission opted to detain Lawal because he could not meet the bail conditions.

Lawal, who was a former Special Adviser/Senior Counselor to ex-Governor El-Rufai, is being investigated in connection with projects executed during the former governor’s tenure, particularly regarding an allegedly failed N11 billion light rail contract.

However, Lawal’s counsel has applied to the ICPC to vary the bail conditions given to his client.

Lawal was asked to deposit his international passport and produce two sureties, including a permanent secretary and a director in the civil service, it was learned.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “As of Thursday evening, Lawal could not meet any of the bail conditions. We have decided to obtain an order from a Magistrate’s Court to keep him in custody for 14 days.

“We have already served the court order on Lawal to keep him informed of why he will remain with us for two weeks.

“We have also received a letter from Lawal’s lawyer to vary the bail conditions. We are studying this latest request, which we received on Thursday.”

The source added that Lawal has been cooperating with investigators, noting that the ball is in the accused’s court to fulfil the terms needed for his bail.

He said, “We are aware that his counsel has given an undertaking to produce him anytime he is wanted for interrogation.”

The source, however, said the ICPC will not vacate the watch list request it has sent to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

A letter to the DSS and NIS noted that “the above-mentioned person (Lawal Shakiru Olujimi Adebisi), who hails from Ogun State and speaks Yoruba and English fluently, is being investigated for the offence of criminal conspiracy.”