Jimi Adebisi Lawal, former Chairman of the Kaduna State Economic Development Council, has attributed his recent failure to appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to the nationwide protests that took place earlier this month.
The ICPC had summoned Lawal to answer questions regarding an alleged N11 billion light rail project in Kaduna State.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, Lawal, who previously served as an aide to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, explained that the protests had disrupted his ability to honor the commission’s invitation.
Lawal recounted that on August 1, 2024, he missed a call from an unknown number. Upon returning the call, he was informed by the caller, who identified himself as an ICPC official, that an invitation letter had been sent to him, requesting his presence at the ICPC headquarters the following day.
“That was the week the #Endbadgovernanceprotest commenced,” Lawal noted in his statement.
He added that he informed the ICPC official about the protests and requested that the interview be rescheduled until after the protests had concluded—a request that was granted by the official.
Lawal further disclosed that on Monday, August 12, 2024, he proactively contacted the ICPC official to inquire about a new date for the interview, as the protests had ended.
According to Lawal, the official assured him that the schedule would be reviewed and later that night, a soft copy of the invitation was sent to him, dated August 12, 2024. The letter, titled “Re-Investigation Activities” and bearing Reference No. ICPC/HC/STF/KD/069/2024, rescheduled the interview for Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
“Tomorrow is Wednesday, August 14, 2024,” Lawal pointed out. “So, how can someone who got a letter of invitation at about midnight on Monday, August 12, 2024, asking him to report on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, be said to have absconded? Why watchlist someone who called you to ask for an appointment since he has nothing to hide?”
Lawal expressed his belief that the investigation is both malicious and politically motivated, arguing that the media reports surrounding the case are designed to tarnish his reputation before he has had the opportunity to present his side of the story.
“As a Senior Counsellor and Chairman, Kaduna State Economic Development Council, I had no budget and authority to approve contracts. So, all the noise about an N11 billion light rail project is nothing but hot air,” Lawal asserted, emphasizing his faith in the country’s judiciary and his confidence that the truth will ultimately prevail.