Former Special Adviser to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Jimi Lawal, has been released from prison after fulfilling his bail conditions.
Lawal, along with former Kaduna State Accountant-General Umar Waziri and ex-Finance Commissioner Yusuf Inuwa, was arraigned on charges of diverting ₦68 million in state funds.
The trio, alongside Solar Life Nigeria Limited—the company allegedly used to launder the money—was prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
According to the ICPC, Lawal orchestrated the transfer of ₦64.8 million in three installments—₦10 million, ₦47.8 million, and ₦7.3 million—into the bank account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, where he is reportedly the sole signatory.
Bail Conditions
On January 21, 2025, the court granted bail to the defendants under the following strict conditions:
- Each must provide two sureties with ₦50 million in like sum.
- The sureties must own landed property in Kaduna with verifiable Certificates of Occupancy.
- Defendants must surrender their international, national, and official passports to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar.
Justice Aikawa, who presided over the case, authorized another judge to sign the release order before leaving on an official trip. However, despite meeting the bail conditions, the designated judge allegedly refused to sign the release order, causing further delays.
Justice Aikawa returned on Thursday and personally signed Lawal’s release order, enabling him to regain his freedom.
