Kano Electoral Commission Chairman, Others, Remanded Over N1.02 Billion Fraud

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Malumfashi, and three other senior officials in prison over allegations of a N1.02 billion fraud.

Justice James Omotosho gave the order on Tuesday after the officials were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The other defendants remanded alongside Malumfashi are the Commission’s Secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, and its Deputy Director of Accounts, Ado Garba. They face a six-count charge of conspiracy, money laundering, and diversion of public funds.

The ICPC alleges that the officials siphoned funds from KANSIEC’s coffers by channeling them through private bank accounts belonging to an entity named SLM Agro Global Farm at Jaiz Bank. Specifically, the agency told the court the defendants conspired to take possession of N450 million in cash using two of the farm’s accounts between November and December 2024.

The prosecution further alleged that within the same period, the officials diverted an additional N310 million and N260 million into two other Jaiz Bank accounts linked to the farm. The ICPC maintains these were public funds belonging to KANSIEC and their diversion constitutes money laundering and abuse of office.

All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their counsel, Mahmud Magaji, SAN, made an oral application for bail, citing their prior compliance with ICPC administrative bail. The prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Akponimisingha, opposed the oral application, insisting on a formal process.

Justice Omotosho declined the oral bail request, directing the defense to file a formal application and adjourned the case until Wednesday for further proceedings. Pending the hearing of that application, the judge ordered the officials to be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.