A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared Adamu Aliyu, a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, wanted over allegations that he defrauded a businessman of ₦73.6 million through a bogus Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after considering an application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to court filings, the matter originated from a petition by businessman Mohammed Jidda. He alleged that Aliyu, who represents Jos North-North constituency, offered to help him secure an ₦850 million TETFund contract at the University of Jos.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding allegedly signed by both parties, Jidda agreed to pay ₦73.6 million upfront once a contract award letter was issued. Another ₦52 million was to go to Imanal Concept Ltd., a company owned by Saad Abubakar, said to be the facilitator of the deal.
Investigators said Aliyu later gave Jidda a purported contract award letter for a ₦500 million indoor sports hall project under TETFund. On the strength of the letter, Jidda paid money into two accounts provided by Aliyu his personal Guaranty Trust Bank account and Imanal Concept Ltd.’s Zenith Bank account.
Bank records reportedly show that ₦47.8 million went into Aliyu’s account, ₦22.4 million into Imanal Concept’s account, and another ₦3.2 million directly to Aliyu. However, when Jidda approached the University of Jos to commence documentation, the institution denied any knowledge of the contract. It later confirmed to the ICPC in writing that the award letter was forged.
Refusal to Honour ICPC Invitations
The ICPC told the court that Aliyu ignored repeated invitations to explain his role, even though messages were sent through the Clerk of the Plateau Assembly and to his WhatsApp number, which he acknowledged. The commission added it had intelligence suggesting Aliyu planned to flee the country to evade prosecution.
Consequently, Justice Nwite granted the ICPC’s request, issuing a bench warrant for Aliyu’s arrest and authorising the commission to publish a “wanted person” notice in national newspapers, on social media and other platforms. The court also empowered security agencies including the police and private citizens to arrest him and hand him over to the ICPC to face a 32-count charge bordering on fraud, forgery and diversion of funds.
The ICPC said it approached the court because it lacked constitutional authority to declare a suspect wanted without judicial approval. The order, it explained, would also enable it to seek Interpol’s assistance if Aliyu attempts to leave Nigeria.
Aliyu Denies Allegations
When contacted by Premium Times on Friday evening, Aliyu denied defrauding Jidda. He said he only learned of the ICPC’s invitations through the Clerk of the Assembly while he was in Saudi Arabia.
He claimed he had already refunded ₦45 million received through Jidda’s company, Mohiba Investment Ltd., and provided receipts showing transfers of ₦5 million, ₦10 million, ₦10 million and ₦20 million to Mohiba’s Zenith Bank account.
Aliyu also denied forging the contract award letter, saying it was obtained by Saad Abubakar and that his role was limited to delivering it to Jidda.
On 8 September, Aliyu’s lawyers, Adams & Co Firstlog Chambers, wrote to the ICPC describing the dispute as a civil matter over “consultancy services/facilitation of contract award” rather than a criminal case.
Despite this defence, court filings show the lawmaker is under investigation for corruption, forgery, cheating, abuse of office and related offences. With the court’s authorisation, the ICPC is now expected to issue a formal public notice declaring him wanted in the coming days