The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has concluded arrangements to arraign the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi, over an alleged N1.02 billion money laundering scandal.

Also facing prosecution are KANSIEC’s Secretary, Anas Mustapha, and a Deputy Director in the commission’s Accounts Department, Ado Garba. The trio will be docked before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, July 21, 2025.

In a statement issued on Friday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare said investigations revealed that the defendants conspired to execute a large-scale illegal cash transaction in breach of Nigeria’s financial regulations and anti-corruption laws.

According to the anti-graft agency, between November and December 2024, the accused allegedly orchestrated the transfer of N1.02 billion from KANSIEC’s Unity Bank account to a private firm, SLM Agro Global Farm, which had no contractual relationship with the electoral body.

The defendants reportedly claimed the funds were moved to the company to raise cash for paying ad hoc staff who participated in the state’s local government elections. They further asserted that the full amount was returned to KANSIEC in cash.

However, the ICPC described the explanation as a “cover-up,” stating that available evidence contradicted their claims.

“Investigation revealed otherwise, as a letter from the defendants addressed to the Manager, Unity Bank, Zoo Road, Kano, showed a request for the transfer of N59.4 million. The request included a cheque and a list of 468 Electoral Officers and 42 Assistant Electoral Officers with their bank details for payment through the banking system,” the statement said.

The commission stated that the bank honoured the request and processed all payments electronically, undermining the rationale for cash transactions.

ICPC further debunked the defendants’ claim that bank payments were too slow, describing it as “a lame excuse to justify the offence of money laundering.”

The agency also raised red flags over the disbursement of N20 million purportedly allocated for a verification team to screen candidates across the state’s 44 local government areas and 484 wards.

According to ICPC, the verification exercise was conducted entirely at KANSIEC headquarters in Kano, and candidates bore the cost of travel themselves, rendering the expenditure unjustifiable.

ICPC has vowed to ensure that all those involved in the alleged fraud face the full weight of the law.