Alleged N1bn fraud: Kano electoral body chair for arraignment Monday

ICPC officer

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has concluded plans to arraign the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Sani Malumfashi, over an alleged N1.02bn money laundering scheme.

Also to be docked alongside Malumfashi at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, July 21, 2025, are the commission’s Secretary, Anas Mustapha, and a Deputy Director in the Accounts Department, Ado Garba.

A statement on Friday by ICPC’s spokesman, Demola Bakare, indicated that the commission investigations uncovered that between November and December 2024, the trio conspired to execute a large-scale illegal cash transaction in violation of financial regulations and extant anti-corruption laws.

According to the charge sheet, KANSIEC under Malumfashi’s leadership allegedly transferred a total sum of N1,020,000,000.00 from its Unity Bank account to SLM Agro Global Farm, a company said to have no known contractual ties with the electoral body.

The defendants reportedly claimed the funds were transferred to SLM Agro Global to raise cash for payment of ad hoc staff who participated in the state’s local government elections.

They further stated that the company returned the entire amount in cash to the commission.

However, Bakare said that narrative was inconsistent with evidence obtained during the investigation.

“ICPC further revealed that the defendants in the statements they volunteered argued that the transfers made to SLM Agro Global were made with the intention to raise cash needed to pay the ad hoc-staff that participated in the local government election in the state, and that the firm returned all such transfers to KANSIEC in cash.

“Investigation, however, revealed otherwise as a letter from the defendant addressed to the Manager, Unity Bank, Zoo Road, Kano, detailed where in they requested transfer payment of the sum of N59, 400, 000.00 attached with a cheque of same amount and a list of 468 Electoral Officers and 42 Assistance Electoral Officers’ bank details for payment through the banking system.