The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu, a former Chief of Staff to the immediate past Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Saidu, who also served as Commissioner of Finance during El-Rufai’s administration, faces allegations of money laundering at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The ICPC’s case also implicates Ibrahim Muktar, identified as a public officer in the Kaduna Ministry of Finance. Both individuals are facing a two-count charge under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to court documents, in March 2022, Saidu allegedly accepted a cash payment of ₦155,000,000 through his Special Assistant, Muazu Abdu, from Muktar. The amount reportedly exceeded the legal cash transaction limit. The ICPC alleges this act contravenes Section 2(a) and is punishable under Section 19(d) of the Money Laundering Act.
Furthermore, the ICPC claims Saidu indirectly took control of the ₦155,000,000, which he “reasonably ought to have known” was part of the proceeds of corruption. This act allegedly violates Section 18(2)(d) and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
Section 18(3) stipulates penalties of four to fourteen years’ imprisonment, a fine of at least five times the value of the laundered funds, or both upon conviction.
The charges were filed by Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, the Assistant Chief Legal Officer of the ICPC, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. Saidu had previously been cleared of allegations during a 10-month investigation, but the new charges indicate further findings in the case.
