Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal, former Senior Counsellor and Chairman of the Kaduna State Economic Development Council, has categorically denied evading a summons from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). In a statement issued by his media office, represented by Austin Oniyokor, Lawal clarified the circumstances surrounding the commission’s invitation and his subsequent response.
According to the statement, Lawal received the ICPC’s invitation letter only at midnight on Monday, August 12, 2024, instructing him to appear before the commission on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. This late notice left him with limited time to comply with the directive.
Addressing the ongoing investigation into an alleged N11 billion light rail contract, which the ICPC is probing, Lawal emphasized that he had no authority or budgetary control to approve such contracts during his tenure. The statement from his media office further elaborated on the situation:
“The attention of the media office of Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal (JAL), former Senior Counsellor and Chairman, Kaduna State Economic Development Council (2015 – 2022), has been drawn to reports by online news platforms claiming that he is being watch-listed for failing to honour an ICPC invitation regarding an alleged N11 billion light rail project.”
The statement strongly refuted these claims, asserting that the allegations were misleading. Lawal’s media office provided further details, revealing that on August 1, 2024, Lawal missed a call from an unknown number. Upon returning the call, he was informed by the caller—who identified themselves as an ICPC official—that there was an invitation letter dated August 1, 2024, requiring his appearance at the commission’s headquarters the following day. The statement also noted that this period coincided with the commencement of the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Chief Lawal’s media office has reiterated his commitment to full cooperation with the ICPC and has urged the public to disregard any false reports suggesting otherwise.
