Scandal Unfolds: El-Rufai’s Ex-Aide On Trial For Pocketing Millions In Fake Travel Claims

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, presided over by Justice R.M. Aikawa, began the trial of Olajimi Shakiru Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday, July 21, 2025.

Lawal is standing trial alongside three others, following allegations brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concerning abuse of office and the misappropriation of estacode payments during their tenure in public service.

At the opening session, the prosecution presented three key witnesses — Mrs Aisha Dikko Kalil, Mrs Bariyatu Yusuf, and Mr Samuel Aruwan — all of whom previously held top positions within the Kaduna State Government.

Taking the stand, Aisha Dikko Kalil, former Attorney-General of Kaduna State (2019–2023), testified that the state government paid her tuition directly for overseas training programs. She revealed that while the tuition fees were settled by the government, estacode allowances were credited to her GTBank account. Kalil confirmed receiving over ₦5 million in estacode payments but emphasized that she never received any money from the first defendant, Lawal. She submitted documents including her bank statements, training approvals, and certificates.

Similarly, Mrs Bariyatu Yusuf, former Head of Service in Kaduna, backed Kalil’s testimony. She affirmed that her foreign training costs — including course fees and flight tickets — were covered by the Ministry of Finance. She stated she received nearly ₦15 million in estacode payments, but had no financial dealings with Lawal. Yusuf also submitted relevant documents in court.

Samuel Aruwan, who served as Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, stated that his foreign training was sponsored not by the state government but by the U.S. Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser. He categorically denied receiving any estacode from Lawal or the state.

However, when ICPC’s lead prosecutor, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akpos, sought to submit Aruwan’s written statement as evidence, the defence team objected, citing procedural irregularities since the statement was taken during the trial. Justice Aikawa adjourned the case to September 24, 2025, to rule on the admissibility of the statement and continue the hearing.

The ICPC emphasized that this prosecution underscores its commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in the handling of public funds, particularly regarding state-sponsored foreign training and related allowances.