THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed criminal charges against the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, and two other top officials of the commission over the alleged laundering of N1.02 billion in public funds.
According to a statement released on Saturday by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare made available to News Point Nigeria, the anti-graft agency will arraign Professor Malumfashi, alongside Mr. Anas Muhammed Mustapha, the Commission’s Secretary, and Mr. Ado Garba, its Deputy Director of Accounts, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, July 15.
The ICPC accuses the trio of conspiracy, unlawful fund transfers, money laundering, and violations of public procurement and financial regulations, in connection with large-scale illegal cash transactions carried out between November and December 2024.
Central to the case is a suspicious transfer of N1.02 billion from KANSIEC’s Unity Bank account to SLM Agro Global Farm, a private entity with no contractual relationship or legal business with the Commission.
The accused claimed the payment was made to raise funds for cash disbursements to ad hoc staff hired for local government elections in Kano. They further alleged that the funds were returned in cash by the company for onward distribution.
However, ICPC investigations contradicted these claims, describing them as a “cover-up for fraudulent conduct.”
“The defendants’ explanation was found to be a mere smokescreen. Records show that they had submitted the names, bank details, and roles of 468 Electoral Officers and 42 Assistant Electoral Officers to Unity Bank for direct electronic payment,” the ICPC said.
The Commission stated that all ad hoc staff were paid via bank transfers, not cash, and dismissed the claim that bank payments would have been too slow.
Further scrutiny into KANSIEC’s electoral budget revealed more red flags. A total of N20 million was budgeted for screening and verification teams to travel across 484 wards and 44 local government areas of Kano State.
But ICPC found that the entire screening process was held only at the Commission’s headquarters in Kano, with candidates funding their own transport and accommodation.
Despite this, the Deputy Director of Accounts, Ado Garba, claimed during interrogation that the entire N20 million was disbursed in cash to staff involved in the exercise.
“This inconsistency highlights a clear intent to misappropriate public funds,” ICPC noted.
The accused face charges of violating Sections 18 and 19 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, among other provisions under Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws.
Legal observers say the case underscores a broader concern over financial integrity in electoral institutions, especially at the sub-national level.
ICPC has vowed to pursue the case to its logical conclusion and warned public officials against abusing their positions under the guise of election operations.
The hearing at the Federal High Court, Abuja is expected to begin on Monday, with the possibility of additional witnesses and evidence being brought forward.