Court remands KANSIEC chair, two others over alleged ₦1bn fraud

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Prof. Sani Malumfashi, alongside two other officials, over an alleged ₦1 billion money laundering offence.

Justice James Omotosho gave the order on Tuesday after Malumfashi and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge filed against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The judge directed that the defendants be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their formal bail application, and adjourned the matter to January 28 for the bail hearing.

The other defendants are the Secretary of KANSIEC, Anas Mustapha, and a Deputy Director in the Accounts Department of the commission, Ado Garba.

According to the charge dated November 28, 2025, and filed on December 1, 2025, the ICPC alleged that the trio siphoned ₦450 million, ₦310 million and ₦260 million between November and December 2024.

The commission alleged that the defendants conspired to take possession of ₦450 million in cash on November 1, 2024, through SLM Agro Global Farm accounts with Jaiz Bank, funds it said were proceeds of unlawful activity.

The alleged offences are said to be contrary to Sections 2(1)(b) and 18(2)(d), and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

When the case was called, ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, asked the court to read the charges to the defendants for their plea. Defence counsel, Mahmud Magaji, SAN, raised no objection. The defendants subsequently pleaded not guilty to all six counts.

Following their plea, the prosecution applied for a trial date to present its witnesses. In response, the defence sought to move an oral bail application, noting that the defendants had previously been granted administrative bail by the ICPC and had complied with all conditions.

However, the court ruled that a formal bail application must be filed to allow the prosecution respond appropriately, in line with due process and fair hearing.

Justice Omotosho also noted that the case had earlier been slated for arraignment before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in 2025 but was struck out due to the ICPC’s failure to properly serve court documents on the defendants.

The matter was adjourned to January 28 for the hearing of the bail application.