A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Adamu Aliyu, wanted over his alleged involvement in a fraudulent Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract worth N73.6 million.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order following an application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to court filings, a businessman, Mohammed Jidda, petitioned the ICPC, alleging that the lawmaker promised to facilitate an N850 million TETFund contract at the University of Jos, with a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to seal the arrangement.
Jidda reportedly paid N73.6 million upfront to Aliyu, including N52 million channelled to Imanal Concept Ltd, a company owned by one Saad Abubakar, who allegedly helped coordinate the fraudulent deal.
Investigations revealed that Aliyu presented Jidda with a forged contract award letter for a N500 million indoor sports hall project at the university and instructed him to deposit the initial funds into his personal Guaranty Trust Bank account as well as into Imanal Concept’s Zenith Bank account.
The ICPC stated that N47.8 million was traced to Aliyu’s account, N22.4 million to Imanal Concept’s account, and N3.2 million was paid directly to the lawmaker.
The University of Jos, however, confirmed in writing that it never issued such a contract, describing the award letter as fake.
The Commission also told the court that despite several summons, Aliyu ignored invitations to explain his role in the scam, even though he acknowledged receipt of notices through the Clerk of the Plateau Assembly and via WhatsApp messages. ICPC further alleged it had intelligence suggesting that the lawmaker was planning to flee the country.
Justice Nwite consequently authorised the ICPC to declare Aliyu wanted, directing that his name be published in national dailies and across social media platforms.
The ruling also empowered security agencies and private citizens to arrest him and hand him over to the Commission to face a 32-count charge bordering on fraud, forgery, and diversion of funds.
However, Aliyu has denied any wrongdoing. Speaking in response to the allegations, the lawmaker insisted he did not defraud Jidda, arguing that he had refunded N45 million from his account to Jidda’s company, Mohiba Investment Ltd.
He further maintained that the matter was a civil dispute over consultancy services, not a criminal offence.
Aliyu also rejected claims of forging the contract award letter, stressing that his role was limited to delivering the document.
He added that his legal team had already written to the ICPC, informing the agency that the issue was before a civil court.
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