The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will on Monday, July 21, arraign the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, alongside the commission’s Secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, and Deputy Director of Accounts, Ado Garba, over alleged N1.02 billion money laundering.

The three officials are to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja on multiple charges bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office, and large-scale illegal cash transactions in violation of Nigeria’s anti-corruption and money laundering laws.

According to court filings, ICPC investigations uncovered that KANSIEC, under Professor Malumfashi’s leadership, transferred over N1.02 billion from its Unity Bank account in November 2024 to SLM Agro Global Farm — a company with no contractual ties to the commission.

While the defendants claimed the funds were meant to raise cash for the payment of ad hoc staff during the 2024 local government elections, ICPC said this justification does not align with the facts. The Commission noted that the funds were returned in cash to KANSIEC, bypassing all due financial procedures.

A key piece of evidence cited by the Commission is a letter sent by KANSIEC to Unity Bank requesting a N59.4 million payment for 468 Electoral Officers and 42 Assistant Electoral Officers via standard bank transfers. The bank processed the request and the intended recipients received their payments, contradicting the defendants’ claim that bank transfers were unsuitable due to delays.

“The explanation that banking transfers would have delayed payments was nothing more than a cover to mask illicit financial activity,” ICPC said in a statement. “It was a calculated attempt to justify money laundering.”

Further findings also revealed questionable budget practices. A document titled “Operation Budget 2025 Elections” showed N20 million allocated for field screening of candidates across Kano’s 44 LGAs and 484 wards. However, ICPC investigators confirmed that all candidate screening took place at the KANSIEC headquarters in Kano, with no travel undertaken by commission staff.

Despite this, the third defendant, Ado Garba, reportedly told investigators the full N20 million was disbursed in cash to screening team members, raising additional concerns about fictitious expenditure.

All three accused persons are expected to be arraigned on Monday, July 21, where they will enter their pleas. (The Guardian)