A Federal High Court in Kaduna has admitted the written statement of Mr. Samuel Aruwan, former Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, in the ongoing money laundering trial of Mr. Jimi Lawal, a former aide to ex- Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is prosecuting Lawal for alleged diversion of ₦64.8 million belonging to the Kaduna state government.
Lawal is standing trial alongside the former Accountant-General, Mr. Umar Waziri; former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Yusuf Inuwa; and Solar Life Nigeria Limited.
In the court documents in the suit marked FHC/KD/16C/2025, the ICPC alleged that the defendants conspired to transfer ₦64,800,562.00 in three tranches—₦10 million, ₦47.48 million, and ₦7.32 million—into the account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited, where Lawal is said to be the sole signatory.
The prosecution called three former top officials as witnesses. They are Mrs. Aisha Dikko Kalil, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf, former Head of Service; and Mr. Samuel Aruwan, former Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.
All the three former government officials denied receiving any estacode payments from Lawal.
Aruwan told the court that his professional training was sponsored by the United States Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
He said he never collected estacode allowances from Lawal or from the state government.
The ICPC tendered Aruwan’s written statement as evidence. However, defence counsels objected, arguing that the statement was obtained after trial began.
The presiding judge, R. M. Aikawa dismissed the objection and ruled that Aruwan was not an interested party in the case.
The court admitted the statement as Exhibit 9.
The case was adjourned to November 3, 2025, for cross-examination.
