The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday remanded the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Malumfashi, along with three other officials, in prison over alleged involvement in a N1.02 billion fraud.

Others remanded by trial Justice James Omotosho included the commission’s secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, and the deputy director of accounts, Ado Garba.

The trio were arraigned on a six-count charge preferred against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ICPC alleged that the defendants siphoned funds from the coffers of the Kano State electoral body, using bank accounts of a farm. For instance, in count one of the charge, the anti-corruption agency told the court that between November and December 2024, the defendants conspired to take possession of N450 million in cash through two accounts of SLM Agro Global Farm domiciled at Jaiz Bank.

The commission further alleged that within the same period, the three officials diverted N310 million and N260 million into Jaiz Bank accounts numbered 0018222634 and 0015932143, belonging to the farm.

According to the ICPC, the defendants’ actions constitute offences contrary to Sections 2(1)(b) and 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Following their arraignment, the defendants pleaded not guilty and requested bail pending the determination of the allegations. Counsel to the defendants, Mr Mahmud Magaji, SAN, informed the court that the defendants had previously been granted administrative bail and had complied with its terms.

Prosecution counsel, Dr Osuobeni Akponimisingha, opposed the bail but left the decision to the court’s discretion.

Justice Omotosho, stressing that he presides over a court of record, directed the defendants to file a formal bail application to allow the prosecution to respond. The court adjourned the matter to Wednesday and ordered the defendants remanded in Kuje Prison.

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