Kano Electoral Chairman, Others in Court over suspicious N1bn transfer

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, along with the commission’s Secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, and Deputy Director of Accounts, Ado Garba, over allegations of laundering N1.02 billion.

The three top officials are scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to face multiple charges related to conspiracy, abuse of office, and engaging in illegal cash transactions, in breach of Nigeria’s anti-corruption and money laundering laws.

According to court documents, ICPC investigations revealed that in November 2024, the electoral body under Professor Malumfashi’s leadership transferred over N1.02 billion from its Unity Bank account to SLM Agro Global Farm, a private company with no official dealings or contractual relationship with KANSIEC.

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The accused claimed the transaction was a means to raise cash for paying ad hoc staff during the 2024 local government elections.

However, the anti-graft commission said this explanation was inconsistent with the facts and appeared to be a ploy to disguise unlawful activity.

ICPC noted that the money was returned to KANSIEC in cash, sidestepping due process and financial regulations.

A major piece of evidence includes a letter from KANSIEC to Unity Bank requesting the disbursement of N59.4 million through direct bank transfers to 468 Electoral Officers and 42 Assistant Electoral Officers.

Unity Bank complied with the directive and processed the payments accordingly, contradicting the officials’ claim that cash was required due to transfer delays.

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

Further findings also pointed to questionable budget practices. Investigators discovered that a document titled “Operation Budget 2025 Elections” earmarked N20 million for field screening of candidates across the 44 local government areas and 484 wards in Kano.

However, the ICPC noted that all screenings were conducted at the commission’s headquarters in Kano without any travel, raising concerns over fictitious spending.

Despite this, the third defendant, Ado Garba, allegedly told investigators that the N20 million was distributed in cash to screening teams, further deepening suspicion of financial misconduct.

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The arraignment of the three officials is expected to take place on Monday, July 21, where they will formally respond to the charges levelled against them.