The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged Muhammad Sa’idu, a former commissioner during the administration of Nasir el-Rufai, ex-governor of Kaduna, to court over alleged “money laundering.”

The Kaduna police command arrested Sa’idu over a petition for alleged diversion of public funds.

Osuobeni Akponimisingha, the ICPC’s assistant legal officer, filed the case against the former commissioner on Tuesday at the federal high court in Kaduna.

Sa’idu served as the commissioner of local government affairs, chief of staff, and commissioner of finance during the administration of el-Rufai.

The ICPC dismissed an earlier claim that Sa’idu had been exonerated of all charges after 10 months of investigation.

The former commissioner is charged alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a staff in the ministry of finance.

According to the suit No. FHC/KD/IC/2025, the defendants are charged on a two-count charge of “money laundering.”

“Sometime in March 2022 or thereabouts, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, who at that time 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 charge sheet reads.

The ICPC also alleged that within the same period, Sa’idu “indirectly took control of the sum of N155m received in cash for and on behalf of you by one Muazu Abdul from Ibrahim Muktar, which he reasonably ought to have known, formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: corruption and you hereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the “Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The anti-graft agency noted that section 18(3) of the “Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022” states that “any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection(2) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than four years but not more than fourteen years or a fine not less than five times the value of the proceeds of the crime or both.”

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) reports that its cybercrime unit recovered over “N8 billion” and “$115,000” in 2024.

In a statement on Tuesday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, revealed that the unit’s strategic operations led to the arrest and prosecution of 751 individuals involved in cybercrime.

Adejobi mentioned that the recovered amount had been restituted to the victims of cybercrime, emphasizing that this action reaffirmed the force’s commitment to protecting citizens and ensuring justice for those impacted by fraudulent activities.

He also added that the unit recovered 685 devices related to cybercrimes, including 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops and computers, 46 routers, four servers, one drone, and four “Starlink” devices.

“Additionally, the operations led to the confiscation of 16 houses, 39 plots of land, 14 land documents, and 26 vehicles, further dismantling the infrastructure supporting cybercriminal activities,” he said.

“In recognition of its outstanding performance and dedication, the NPF-NCCC has been awarded the title of the Best Cybercrime Unit in Africa for 2024 by the INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate based in Singapore, securing the top position among 54 participating African countries.

“These achievements reflect the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force to fighting cybercrime and enhancing the safety of citizens in the digital space.”

Adejobi also mentioned that operatives of the unit apprehended four suspected criminals identified as Douglass Victor, Egbo Martins, Lucky Adesunloye, and Ndifreke Joseph Moody for cyber-related offences.

A high court in Ibadan has fixed Monday, January 13, 2025, to rule on the bail applications filed by Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, and Fasasi Abdullahi.

Abdullahi serves as the principal of Islamic High School, the site of the stampede incident in Ibadan.

The trio are standing trial over their alleged roles in a stampede at a funfair in December, which claimed the lives of over 40 people, most of them children.

The defendants were remanded at Agodi correctional centre on December 24 after being charged with conspiracy, negligence causing harm, and failing to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

At the hearing on Tuesday, their legal representatives presented separate arguments for bail.

Silekunola was represented by Musibau Adetunmbi, while Hamzat and Abdullahi were represented by Adekunle Sobaloju.

The prosecution, led by Abiodun Aikomo, Oyo state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, opposed the bail applications.

He asked the court to deny the defendants temporary release.

After hearing the submissions of both defendants and prosecutor, Kamarudeen Olawoyin, the presiding judge, reserved his ruling for January 13.