The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched a fresh investigation into embattled Plateau State lawmaker, Hon. Adamu Aliyu, who was recently declared wanted by a federal court over an alleged N73.6 million TETFund contract scam.
Aliyu, who represents Jos North Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, was on September 12 declared wanted by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in connection with the TETFund case.
While that matter remains unresolved, the ICPC said it had received a new petition from a Jos-based businessman, Abdulyekin Kabiru, Chief Executive Officer of Reedlim Global Enterprises, accusing Aliyu of conniving with a former local government secretary, Hassan Maimadara, to defraud him of N75.8 million in a fake land deal.
The petition, filed by AB Adihene & Co. on behalf of Kabiru, alleged that Aliyu and Maimadara deceived him into believing they had the authority of the Plateau State government to sell a piece of land located at Gangare, Jos. The land, however, belongs to the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB).
Kabiru claimed Aliyu presented himself as Chairman of the House Committee on Housing, while Maimadara introduced himself as a former secretary of Jos North Local Government and current aide to the lawmaker. Relying on their purported positions, Kabiru agreed to pay N50 million for the land.
According to him, the duo later pressured him into parting with more money through inducements, threats, forged documents, and multiple cash and bank transfers, raising the total sum paid to N75.84 million. He further alleged that funds were funneled into Maimadara’s company account, Hassan & Sons Multi-Biz Dimensions Ltd, as well as Aliyu’s personal account, in addition to buying mobile phones worth N172,000 for the lawmaker.
Kabiru said when he realized the transaction was fraudulent, he demanded a refund, but Aliyu dismissed him and allegedly issued threats to his life.
Efforts to reach Hon. Aliyu for comments on the new allegations proved unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages at the time of filing this report.