The trial of Olajimi Shakiru Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, commenced on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, before Justice R.M. Aikawa.

Lawal is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) alongside three others for alleged abuse of office and fraudulent estacode payments during their time in government service.

At the opening of the trial, the prosecution presented three witnesses: Mrs Aisha Dikko Kalil, Mrs Bariyatu Yusuf, and Mr Samuel Aruwan—all former top officials of the Kaduna State Government.

Taking the stand, Aisha Dikko Kalil, who served as Kaduna State Attorney-General between 2019 and 2023, told the court that the state government paid her tuition directly to the institutions for foreign training programmes she attended.

“Tuition fees were handled by the government, while estacode allowances were paid into my Guaranty Trust Bank account,” she testified.

She confirmed receiving over ₦5 million in estacode payments but clarified that she never received any funds from the 1st defendant, Lawal.

Kalil also stated that her total tuition fee amounted to $9,100, and tendered documentary evidence, including her bank statements, training approvals, and certificates.

Also testifying, former Head of Service of Kaduna State, Mrs Bariyatu Yusuf, corroborated Kalil’s testimony, affirming that course fees and flight tickets for foreign trainings were sponsored by the Ministry of Finance.

‘The Estacode Was Credited To My Account’ – She Told The Court.

Yusuf acknowledged receiving just under ₦15 million but maintained that she did not receive any funds from Lawal, though she admitted knowing him professionally.

She also submitted her certificates and bank details as evidence.

The third witness, Samuel Aruwan, who served as Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna, told the court that his training programmes were funded by the United States government and the Office of the National Security Adviser, not the Kaduna State Government.

“I never received estacode from Mr Lawal or from the state government,” he testified.

Aruwan explained that he was professionally acquainted with the 1st defendant but had no financial dealings with him.

Defence Objects To Admissibility of NAIJAONPOINT Statement

Naijaonpoint understands that efforts by the ICPC prosecutor, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akpos, to tender Aruwan’s written statement were met with objection from the defence, who argued that the statement was obtained during the pendency of the trial and raised procedural concerns.

Justice Aikawa subsequently adjourned the case to September 24, 2025, for ruling on the admissibility of the statement and continuation of the hearing.

The commission noted that the trial forms part of its broader mandate to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, especially with regard to government-sponsored foreign training and allowances.