Plateau Lawmaker Wanted by Court Over N73.6m TETFund Scam

In a powerful statement on the relentless pursuit of accountability, a Federal High Court in Abuja has declared a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Adamu Aliyu, a wanted man. The lawmaker, representing the Jos North State Constituency, is at the centre of an alleged N73.6 million fraudulent contract scam involving the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), a vital institution established to combat the rot in the nation’s public tertiary institutions. The order, issued following an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), casts a damning shadow over the integrity of a sitting public official, turning a legislative representative into a fugitive from justice and highlighting the deep-seated issues of public sector corruption in Nigeria.

The alleged crime is a profound betrayal of public trust, as it targets funds specifically earmarked for the educational development of Nigerian youth. TETFund, as a critical intervention agency, is funded by a mandatory tax on the assessable profits of all registered companies in the country. Its mission is to provide supplementary support to public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education by funding essential projects such as the construction of lecture theatres, laboratories, libraries, and hostels. It also supports research and academic staff training. By allegedly using a fraudulent scheme to siphon off funds meant for these crucial purposes, the accused lawmaker is not only implicated in a financial crime but in an act that undermines the future of Nigeria’s education system and the intellectual growth of its students.

According to court documents and submissions from the ICPC, the saga began when a businessman, Mohammed Jidda, filed a petition against the lawmaker. Jidda alleged that Aliyu promised to secure an N850 million TETFund contract for a project at the University of Jos. The businessman reportedly paid an upfront sum of N73.6 million, including N52 million to an accomplice, Imanal Concept Ltd, owned by one Saad Abubakar. The ICPC’s investigation revealed a clear trail of deception. The anti-graft agency found that the lawmaker allegedly handed Jidda a forged contract award letter for a N500 million indoor sports hall project. The investigation further confirmed that a significant portion of the money—N47.8 million—was paid directly into Aliyu’s personal GTBank account, with another N22.4 million going into the Imanal Concept account, and a final N3.2 million paid directly to the lawmaker. The University of Jos, when contacted, confirmed in writing that it never issued any such contract award letter and that the document was a forgery, solidifying the commission’s case of fraud and duplicity.

In a direct and conflicting account, Aliyu has publicly denied all allegations. When contacted, he insisted that he never defrauded the businessman, claiming that the entire matter was a civil dispute over consultancy services and not a criminal case. He further claimed to have refunded N45 million to Jidda’s company and that his lawyers had already informed the ICPC that the issue was being handled in a civil court. The lawmaker also denied forging the contract letter, stating that his role was limited to delivering the document. However, the anti-graft agency’s submission to the court contradicted this, stating that despite repeated invitations and acknowledgements through the Clerk of the Plateau State House of Assembly and on WhatsApp, Aliyu consistently failed to appear before them to explain his role. The ICPC, fearing that he may have been plotting to flee the country, was left with no option but to seek a court order to declare him wanted.

The court’s decision to declare a sitting lawmaker wanted is a significant legal and political development. It underscores the fact that no public official, regardless of their position, is immune to the law. While a court order for his arrest does not automatically lead to the forfeiture of his legislative seat, it places him in a precarious legal position. According to the Nigerian Constitution, a lawmaker can lose their seat if they are convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or fraud and are sentenced to a term of imprisonment. Therefore, the ICPC’s 32-count charge of fraud, forgery, and diversion of funds, which carries a potential prison sentence, poses a direct threat to his political career. The wanted order also empowers security agencies and even private citizens to arrest Aliyu and hand him over to the ICPC, turning a criminal investigation into a public manhunt.

This case is not an isolated incident but part of a larger, ongoing effort by the ICPC and other anti-graft agencies to combat corruption at all levels of government. The ICPC has, in recent times, intensified its project tracking initiatives and successfully prosecuted public officials, from civil servants caught in double-salary scams to those involved in employment fraud. By bringing a sitting lawmaker to book, the agency is sending a strong message that no one, however highly placed, is above the law. The legal process initiated by Justice Emeka Nwite is a crucial step in upholding the rule of law and proving that public officials are servants of the people, not masters of public funds. The final outcome of this high-profile case will not only determine the fate of the accused lawmaker but will also serve as a barometer for the nation’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that justice prevails.