The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ruled that Bashir Mohammed Saidu, the former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-accused, Ibrahim Murktar, must present their defence in a N155 million money laundering case brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
Justice Rilwan Aikawa rejected the no-case submissions filed by the defendants, stating that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring their response. He emphasized that the evidence produced by the ICPC was sufficient to compel the accused to provide explanations.
Bashir Saidu, who also served as Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, and Ibrahim Murktar face four counts linked to violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The ICPC alleges that Murktar, a cashier in the Ministry of Finance, withdrew N155 million in multiple cash sums from the state’s Exchange Gain Account.
According to the anti-graft agency, the funds were delivered in cash through a proxy for Saidu’s benefit, bypassing official financial channels. The transactions are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. During the trial, which began after the defendants’ arraignment on January 21, 2025, the prosecution presented two witnesses and multiple exhibits before closing its case.
The defendants argued that the evidence was insufficient to warrant a defence, but the court disagreed. The next hearing is set for June 22, 2026, when the defendants will begin presenting their case.
The ICPC has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing corruption cases to their conclusion, aiming to promote transparency and accountability in public service.