The Federal High Court in Kaduna has granted bail to Jimi Lawal, a former adviser to ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and three others accused of diverting public funds totaling ₦64.8 million. The defendants, including the former Kaduna State Accountant General Umar Waziri, Yusuf Inuwa, and Solar Life Nigeria Limited, were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC alleges that the defendants illegally diverted public funds in three separate tranches: ₦10 million, ₦47.84 million, and ₦7.32 million. The charges against them include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and related offenses.
Ruling on the bail application submitted by the defense, the court granted bail with stringent conditions. Each defendant must provide two sureties with ₦50 million in like sum. The sureties are required to own landed properties in Kaduna, complete with Certificates of Occupancy verified by the court.
Furthermore, the defendants must deposit all travel documents, including international passports and any other official identification, with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The defendants' counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN), expressed optimism about meeting the bail conditions swiftly.
“The court has granted bail, and we are working to perfect the conditions promptly. Until then, the defendants will remain in custody. We expect this process to be completed by tomorrow,” Usman stated.
The court has adjourned the trial to March 26 and 27, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.