A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Adamu Aliyu, wanted over an alleged N73.6 million fraud involving a fake Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order following an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is investigating the lawmaker’s alleged role in a fraudulent contract scheme.
Aliyu, who represents Jos North State Constituency, was accused by businessman Mohammed Jidda of collecting N73.6 million as an upfront payment to facilitate an N850 million TETFund contract at the University of Jos. The transaction was reportedly backed by a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
According to court documents obtained by DAILY POST, Jidda alleged that the lawmaker presented him with a forged contract award letter for a fictitious N500 million indoor sports hall project. The businessman claimed he was instructed to pay funds into Aliyu’s personal GTBank account and the account of Imanal Concept Ltd, owned by one Saad Abubakar — described as a facilitator in the deal.
ICPC investigations revealed that N47.8 million was deposited into Aliyu’s account, while N22.4 million went to Imanal Concept Ltd. An additional N3.2 million was allegedly paid directly to the lawmaker.
The University of Jos, in a formal response to the ICPC, denied awarding such a contract and confirmed that the letter of award presented was a forgery.
The anti-corruption agency told the court that despite multiple invitations and confirmed receipt of correspondence through the Clerk of the Plateau State House of Assembly and WhatsApp messages, Aliyu had refused to appear before investigators.
The ICPC further disclosed that it had received credible intelligence suggesting Aliyu was planning to flee the country to evade prosecution.
In response, Justice Nwite granted the Commission’s request to declare the lawmaker wanted. He authorised the publication of Aliyu’s name and photograph in national newspapers and across social media platforms. The ruling also empowers law enforcement agencies and private citizens to arrest Aliyu and hand him over to the ICPC for prosecution.
The Commission has prepared a 32-count charge against the lawmaker, covering fraud, forgery, and misappropriation of funds.
However, Aliyu has strongly denied the allegations. Speaking to DAILY POST, he maintained his innocence and claimed that the matter was purely a civil dispute over consultancy services — not a criminal case.
He also stated that he had refunded N45 million to Jidda’s company, Mohiba Investment Ltd, from his personal account, and denied ever forging the contract award letter.
“My role was only to deliver the document,” he said, adding that his legal team had already written to the ICPC to inform them that the matter is before a civil court.
Despite his claims, the court’s ruling remains in effect, and the lawmaker is now officially a fugitive.
