El-Rufai's Ally Saidu Lands in Court, Details Emerge
- The ICPC has filed fresh charges against Muhammad Bashir Saidu, the former chief of staff to the immediate past Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai
- Saidu, who earlier served as commissioner for finance under el-Rufai, is facing two-count charges of money laundering alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a public officer in the ministry
- The embattled ex-aide to El-Rufai is currently being remanded in prison for sharing fake news about the state of insecurity in the country
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu, former chief of staff to former governor Nasir El-Rufa'i of Kaduna state, at the Federal High Court.
Saidu, who also served as commissioner of finance in Kaduna state during El-Rufai's administration, is facing two-count money laundering charges alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a public officer in the Ministry of Finance.
Source: Twitter
Why ICPC dragged El-Rufai's ex-ally to court
According to the charge sheet, Saidu allegedly accepted a cash payment of N155 million from Muktar in March 2022, exceeding the authorised amount. He was also accused of indirectly taking control of the same amount his Special Assistant, Muazu Abdu, had received. The ICPC alleged that Saidu should have known that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity, namely corruption
The charges filed by the ICPC contradicted earlier claims that Saidu had been exonerated of all charges after a 10-month investigation. The case sparked interest, with many following the developments closely. Former Governor El-Rufai had recently visited Saidu at the Kaduna State Correctional Service facility, where he was being held
The ICPC's assistant chief legal officer, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, signed the charge sheet filed on January 7, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. If convicted, Saidu faces imprisonment for a term of not less than four years but not more than fourteen years, or a fine not less than five times the value of the proceeds of the crime, or both.
El-Rufai visits ex-aide in prison
Recently, El-Rufai visited Shehu at the correctional centre, where some key figures from his administration accompanied him. He also made stops at the court where Sa'idu was arraigned, although he couldn't meet with the judge and the office of Operation Fushin Kada.
The outcome of el-Rufai's discussions at the police command was not made public as he declined to speak with journalists. Sa'idu's arrest was linked to allegations of laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million during his tenure as Kaduna state commissioner of finance and local government.
El-Rufai speaks on retirement in politics
Legit.ng earlier reported that El-Rufai disclosed his plan to return to politics in 2027, after his studies abroad.
The former governor also denied the allegation that his administration misappropriated state funds when he was in power and alleged that his allies were being targeted.
He also said he was ready to swear on the Holy Quran should he and others be asked to do so.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
