As part of the ongoing probe of the failed N11billion light rail project in Kaduna State, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday detained Mr. Jimi Lawal, a former Special Adviser/ Senior Counselor to ex-Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
Also, the commission has asked Lawal to deposit his international passport with the commission until the ongoing investigation is completed.
But Lawal, who was grilled for hours yesterday by a team of investigators, has not been able to meet bail conditions as at 7pm on Wednesday.
Lawal was said to have arrived at the ICPC headquarters at about 10am but he was taken to the interrogation room at 11am where many allegations were isolated for him to respond to.
A source in ICPC said: “For about five hours, our team interacted with Jimi Lawal on the N11billion light rail project and other allegations which he needed to respond to. This is the first leg of his interaction with our team.
“So far, he has given us brief on some of the issues raised. He has more questions to answer. We will move to the next level on allegations with documents, official directives attributed to him and the profiling of his account(s) and assets.
“We have served him bail terms including the deposit of his international passport and getting reliable sureties. When he could not meet the bail conditions, we have no option than to detain him.
“Lawal remains on the watch-list of the Department of State Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) . We want to restrict his movement to the country pending the conclusion of our investigation.”
But Lawal said there was no need for the watch list because he was never on the run.
He asked ICPC to explain why a public officer without budget will account for a contract of N11billion.
He alleged that the “investigation“ by ICPC is malicious and politically-motivated.
In a statement through his Media Office, Lawal said: “It is clear from the foregoing facts that this so-called investigation is malicious and politically-motivated. It is the reason orchestrated media reports are being churned out to smear Lawal’s image in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public even before he is heard. Otherwise, how does N144 million allegedly traced to his account from some private companies translate to N11 billion?
“As a Senior Counselor and Chairman, Kaduna State Economic Development Council, Lawal had no budget and authority to approve contracts. So, all the noise about N11 billion light rail project is nothing but hot air.
“No matter how fast and far lies go, the truth will catch up with it. Our faith in the country and the judiciary remains unshaken. We sure will have our day at the appropriate time and fora.”
