The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged Muhammad Bashir Saidu, former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, with money laundering before the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Saidu, who also served as the Commissioner of Finance during El-Rufai’s tenure, was charged alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a public official in the Ministry of Finance.
Saidu and Muktar face two counts of money laundering, which contradict earlier reports suggesting that Saidu had been cleared of all charges after a lengthy 10-month investigation.
The charges were signed by Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, the Assistant Chief Legal Officer of ICPC.
According to the charge document, dated FHC/KD/IC/2025, in March 2022, while Saidu was still the Commissioner of Finance, he allegedly accepted N155,000,000 in cash from Ibrahim Muktar, an amount exceeding the limit legally authorized.
Saidu reportedly received the money through a proxy, Muazu Abdu, his Special Assistant, committing an offense under Section 2(a) and punishable under Section 19(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The ICPC also accused Saidu of indirectly taking control of the same N155,000,000 through Muazu Abdu, which was believed to be the proceeds of unlawful activity, such as corruption.
This act allegedly violated Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Act and is punishable under Section 18(3).
This development comes shortly after reports of a visit by El-Rufai to Saidu in prison last week.
