The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against Bashir Saidu, a former commissioner of finance under Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s administration, over allegations of financial misappropriation and money laundering.
Saidu was arrested by the Kaduna State Police Command weeks ago for allegedly diverting public funds and was subsequently remanded at the Kaduna correctional centre.
The case was filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday by ICPC’s Assistant Legal Officer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha.
Saidu was charged alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a staff member of the Ministry of Finance, on a two-count charge of money laundering. According to suit number FHC/KD/IC/2025, the charge sheet states: “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 Section 2 (a) and punishable under Section 19(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
ICPC further accused Saidu of indirectly taking control of the same N155 million received in cash from Muazu Abdu, which he ought to have known was part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity related to corruption, an offence under Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Saidu previously served as the commissioner of local government affairs, chief of staff to the government house, and later commissioner of finance under El-Rufai’s administration. The Kaduna State House of Assembly has also indicted the El-Rufai administration for allegedly siphoning over N423 billion in state funds.
