Abuja, Nigeria — Adamu Aliyu, a serving member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, has filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to vacate an arrest order issued against him over an alleged ₦850 million contract fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite had on 12 September declared Mr. Aliyu wanted after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) informed the court that the lawmaker repeatedly ignored invitations for questioning on the allegations. The judge also issued a bench warrant empowering security agencies and even private citizens to arrest the lawmaker and hand him over to the ICPC.
However, in a motion dated 18 September, Mr. Aliyu, through his counsel M.B. Abdullahi, described the warrant as “oppressive, overreaching and unnecessary,” stating that he had since submitted himself to the anti-graft agency.
Lawmaker’s Grounds for Application
According to court filings, Mr. Aliyu became aware of the arrest order via social media and immediately reported to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja. He said he had earlier notified the commission of the circumstances surrounding the transaction, explaining that he received ₦43.8 million from the petitioner but had refunded ₦45 million — more than the alleged sum.
The lawmaker accused the ICPC of withholding this information from the court and stressed that, as an elected representative, he posed no flight risk. He also warned that keeping the order in place could expose him to “physical harm” from individuals attempting to enforce it.
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Background of the Alleged Fraudulent Contract
The case originated from a petition filed by businessman Mohammed Jidda, who accused Mr. Aliyu of defrauding him under the pretext of facilitating a Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract at the University of Jos worth ₦850 million.
Investigators alleged that Mr. Aliyu entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Jidda, leading to the transfer of ₦73.6 million into the lawmaker’s personal and company accounts. Mr. Jidda was allegedly presented with a forged contract award letter for the construction of an indoor sports hall valued at ₦500 million. The University of Jos later confirmed the document was fake.
Bank records reportedly showed ₦47.8 million was paid into Mr. Aliyu’s personal account, ₦22.4 million to Imanal Concept Ltd., and ₦3.2 million transferred directly to him.
ICPC’s Position
The ICPC claimed Mr. Aliyu ignored several invitations sent through official and private channels and was preparing to flee Nigeria before being declared wanted. The agency interrogated and released him on administrative bail after he voluntarily surrendered on 15 September.
Lawmaker’s Defence
Mr. Aliyu insists the deal was a private business arrangement involving another federal legislator, Lawal Abubakar, who allegedly agreed to facilitate the award of a TETFund project under the 2023 Special Intervention Projects at the University of Jos.
The court is expected to hear Mr. Aliyu’s application in the coming days.