The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against Bashir Saidu, a former Commissioner of Finance during Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s administration, over allegations of financial misappropriation and money laundering.
Saidu was arrested weeks ago by the Kaduna State Police Command on accusations of diverting public funds and was subsequently remanded at a correctional facility in Kaduna.
On Tuesday, ICPC Assistant Legal Officer Osuobeni Akponimisingha filed the case against Saidu at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The former commissioner is being charged alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a staff member of the Ministry of Finance.
The case, registered under suit number FHC/KD/IC/2025, includes a two-count charge of money laundering against the defendants.
Part of the charge sheet reads: “Sometime in March 2022 or thereabouts, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu, who at that time was commissioner of finance, did accept cash payment of the sum of N155m from one Ibrahim Muktar exceeding the amount authorised by law, which sum you received in cash through proxy to wit, Muazu Abdu, your Special Assistant and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section2 (a) and punishable under the Section 19(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
The ICPC has accused the former commissioner of indirectly taking control of ₦155 million in cash from Muazu Abdu, an amount he was reasonably expected to know was derived from unlawful activity, specifically corruption. This act constitutes an offence under Section 18(2)(d) and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Bashir Saidu previously served as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief of Staff to the Government House, and later as Commissioner of Finance during the El-Rufai administration.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has also indicted the El-Rufai administration for allegedly diverting over ₦423 billion in state funds.