N1bn Fraud Allegation: Court Remands Kano Electoral Commission Chairman in Kuje Prison
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of Sani Malumfashi, the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Malumfashi is facing trial alongside two other officials, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, the commission’s Secretary, and Ado Garba, a Deputy Director in the accounts department, over allegations of money laundering and fraud involving approximately N1 billion.
Delivering a ruling on their bail applications on Wednesday, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, granted each of the three defendants bail in the sum of N200 million. They are also required to provide two sureties in like sum.
Justice Omotosho stipulated strict conditions for the sureties, ordering that they must own landed property worth at least N100 million within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and depose to an affidavit of means.
Additionally, the sureties must present evidence of tax payments for the last three years, recent passport photographs, and certified true copies of bank statements.
The defendants were also directed to surrender their international passports to the court registrar for verification.
The officials were arraigned on Tuesday by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a six-count charge.
The anti-graft agency alleges that the trio conspired to siphon funds totaling over N1 billion between November and December 2024.
According to the charge sheet dated November 28, 2025, the defendants are accused of diverting N450 million, N310 million, and N260 million in separate tranches.
The ICPC specifically alleged that they conspired to take possession of N450 million through accounts belonging to SLM Agro Global Farm domiciled with Jaiz Bank, claiming the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges during their arraignment.
While granting bail, Justice Omotosho noted that the offenses were bailable and observed that the ICPC did not oppose the applications.
However, he ordered that the defendants remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre until they fulfill all bail terms. The case has been adjourned to March 4 for the commencement of trial.
