Court declares Plateau lawmaker wanted over ₦73.6m fraud allegation, ICPC accuses him of forging TETFund contract
A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared Plateau State lawmaker Adamu Aliyu wanted, following allegations that he defrauded a businessman of ₦73.6 million through a fake Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract.
Our correspondent understands from PREMIUM TIMES that Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Friday after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed an application.
According to court filings seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the matter originated from a petition by businessman Mohammed Jidda, who alleged that Mr Aliyu, representing Jos North-North in the Plateau House of Assembly, promised to help him secure an ₦850 million TETFund contract at the University of Jos.
Investigators alleged that the lawmaker entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mr Jidda, who paid ₦73.6 million in advance after being shown what turned out to be a forged contract award letter.
The businessman later discovered, upon contacting the University of Jos, that no such contract existed.
Bank statements obtained by ICPC showed that ₦47.8 million was paid into Mr Aliyu’s personal account with Guaranty Trust Bank, ₦22.4 million went into Imanal Concept Ltd’s Zenith Bank account, and another ₦3.2 million was transferred directly to him.
The ICPC told the court that Mr Aliyu ignored multiple invitations sent through the Clerk of the Plateau Assembly and even acknowledged receiving messages via WhatsApp.
The commission added that intelligence reports suggested the lawmaker was planning to flee the country.
Justice Nwite subsequently authorised ICPC to declare Mr Aliyu wanted in national newspapers and on social media.
The ruling also empowered security agencies and private citizens to arrest him and hand him over to ICPC for investigation.
When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, Mr Aliyu denied the allegations, insisting that he was unaware of ICPC’s summons.
He confirmed refunding ₦45 million to the petitioner’s company, Mohiba Investment Limited, and denied forging the award letter.
Mr Aliyu claimed the disputed document was obtained by another party, Saad Abubakar of Imanal Concept, and argued that the issue was a civil dispute over “consultancy services” rather than a criminal matter.
Despite his defence, court filings show that ICPC is investigating him for corruption, forgery, cheating, and abuse of office.
The commission said the warrant would also enable it to seek the support of INTERPOL if he attempts to travel abroad.