Court Admits Samuel Aruwan’s Statement in ICPC’s Money Laundering Case Against Ex-El-Rufai Aide
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has admitted into evidence the written statement of Mr. Samuel Aruwan, former Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, in the ongoing money laundering trial involving Mr. Jimi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.
The case, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accuses Lawal and three others of diverting ₦64.8 million belonging to the Kaduna State Government through fraudulent estacode payments.
Standing trial alongside Lawal are the former Accountant-General of the State, Mr. Umar Waziri; former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Yusuf Inuwa; and Solar Life Nigeria Limited, a company whose account allegedly received the diverted funds.
According to court documents in the case marked FHC/KD/16C/2025, the ICPC alleges that the defendants conspired to transfer ₦64,800,562.00 in three tranches—₦10 million, ₦47.48 million, and ₦7.32 million—into the account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, where Lawal is said to be the sole signatory.
During the proceedings, the prosecution presented three key witnesses, including former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mrs. Aisha Dikko Kalil; former Head of Service, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf; and Mr. Aruwan.
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All three witnesses reportedly denied receiving estacode payments from Lawal, who had claimed that the disputed funds were allowances meant for official trainings of senior Kaduna State officials.
Testifying before the court, Mr. Aruwan clarified that his professional trainings were sponsored by the United States Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), not by the Kaduna State Government. He further stated that although he had professional dealings with Mr. Lawal, he never received any estacode allowances from him or from the state.
Following his testimony, the ICPC prosecution team sought to tender Aruwan’s written statement as evidence. The defence objected, arguing that the statement was obtained after the trial had commenced.
In his ruling, Justice R. M. Aikawa dismissed the objection, noting that Mr. Aruwan was not an interested party in the case. The court admitted the statement as Exhibit 9, allowing the prosecution to conclude its examination-in-chief.
When the case was called for cross-examination, counsel to the second defendant, J. J. Usman (SAN), who was represented by a junior lawyer, requested an adjournment due to his absence. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to November 3, 2025, for cross-examination and continuation of hearing.
The ICPC said the prosecution of the case reflects its continued efforts to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds across all levels of government.
By PRNigeria
