By Clara Dabo
The Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, will on Monday, July 21, 2025, appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of criminal conspiracy and laundering of ₦1 billion in public funds.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is prosecuting the case, has also listed the Commission’s Secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, and the Deputy Director of Accounts, Ado Garba, as co-defendants in the suit. The three officials are accused of executing a series of unlawful financial transactions in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
In a statement issued by ICPC spokesperson and Director of Public Enlightenment, Demola Bakare, the Commission said its investigation uncovered that between November and December 2024, the sum of ₦1,020,000,000.00 (One Billion, Twenty Million Naira) was transferred from KANSIEC’s Unity Bank account to SLM Agro Global Farm, a private company with no official ties or contractual engagement with the electoral body.The defendants reportedly claimed that the transfer was made to raise cash for the payment of ad hoc staff who participated in the 2024 local government elections in Kano State.
They further alleged that the funds were returned in full to KANSIEC in cash and subsequently disbursed internally.However, ICPC investigations revealed that this claim was inconsistent with banking records and official correspondence. A letter submitted to Unity Bank by the defendants, and obtained during the investigation, requested the transfer of ₦59,400,000.00 to cover payments to 510 ad hoc personnel. Attached to the letter were the names and bank details of 468 Electoral Officers and 42 Assistant Electoral Officers.
According to the Commission, the bank processed the payments electronically without delay, contradicting the defendants’ justification for using cash-based transactions.
“The assertion that banking delays made cash payments necessary was unfounded and appeared to be a calculated excuse to facilitate unauthorized withdrawals,” the Commission stated.
Further scrutiny of KANSIEC’s financial operations uncovered additional concerns. ICPC found that ₦20 million was budgeted under an “Operation Budget 2025 Elections” for a screening and verification exercise purportedly scheduled across all 484 wards and 44 local government areas in the state.
However, the investigation determined that all screening activities were conducted at the Commission’s headquarters in Kano, and that candidates bore their own transport costs.Despite this, one of the accused told investigators that the full ₦20 million was handed over in cash to members of the screening team. ICPC said no documentation or verifiable evidence was presented to support that claim.
The Commission has described the transactions as deliberate breaches of financial regulations and an abuse of public office. If convicted, the accused face multiple counts relating to corruption, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering.
Legal observers say the case will be a crucial test of Nigeria’s commitment to holding electoral and public officials accountable, particularly in the administration of election-related funds. It also comes at a time when public confidence in electoral integrity remains a national concern.
ICPC has reaffirmed its resolve to prosecute the matter diligently.
“This case reflects the Commission’s continued effort to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public resources,” the statement read.
The defendants are expected to enter their pleas when proceedings commence on Monday.
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