Former Senior Counsellor and Chairman of the Kaduna State Economic Development Council, Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal,has dismissed reports suggesting that he is under watch by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for failing to respond to an invitation concerning a purported N11 billion light rail project.
In a statement issued by his media office on Tuesday, Lawal described the reports, particularly one from The Nation newspaper, as baseless and malicious.
The statement clarified that Lawal had not evaded any summons and had maintained open communication with the ICPC.
According to the statement, Lawal missed a call from an unknown number on August 1, 2024.
Upon returning the call, the person identified as an ICPC official informed him of an invitation to appear at the commission’s headquarters the following day.
Lawal said he requested to reschedule the appointment due to the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceProtest, saying the was request was granted by the ICPC official .
The statement further said that subsequently, Lawal contacted the official on August 12, 2024, to inquire about the new date for the interview.
The statement disclosed that, Lawal later received a new invitation letter dated the same day, requesting his appearance on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
“How can someone who got a letter of invitation at about midnight on Monday, 12th August, 2024, asking him to report on Wednesday, 14th August, 2024, be said to have absconded?” the statement queried, adding that it was illogical to place someone on a watchlist who had proactively sought a new appointment date.
Lawal’s media office further suggested that the investigation and accompanying media reports were politically motivated attempts to tarnish his reputation.
The statement also questioned the financial discrepancies in the reports, noting that the alleged N144 million traced to Lawal’s account did not equate to the widely publicized figure of N11 billion.
The statement concluded by reaffirming Lawal’s commitment to cooperate fully with the authorities and expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to deliver justice.
“Our faith in the country and the judiciary remains unshaken. We sure will have our day at the appropriate time and fora,” the statement read.
The allegations have sparked controversy, with many observers questioning the motivations behind the media reports.
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