By Muhammad Mamman
The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared Adamu Aliyu, a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly representing Jos North-North constituency, wanted over an alleged ₦73.6 million fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Friday after granting an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ruling empowers the anti-graft agency to publish Aliyu’s details as a wanted person in national newspapers, across social media, and other public platforms. It also authorises security agencies and private citizens to arrest him and hand him over to the ICPC.
The case stems from a petition by businessman Mohammed Jidda, who alleged that Aliyu defrauded him under the guise of securing an ₦850 million TETFund contract at the University of Jos. According to court filings, Aliyu and Jidda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which Jidda paid ₦73.6 million after being presented with what turned out to be a forged contract award letter for a ₦500 million sports hall project.
Investigations revealed that the funds were split into Aliyu’s personal GTBank account (₦47.8m), Imanal Concept Ltd’s Zenith Bank account (₦22.4m), and directly to Aliyu (₦3.2m). The University of Jos later confirmed in writing that no such project existed.
Despite repeated invitations — acknowledged both through the Clerk of the Plateau Assembly and via WhatsApp — the lawmaker allegedly failed to honour the summons. Intelligence also suggested he was planning to flee the country.
The ICPC therefore sought court approval to declare him wanted and secure an arrest warrant, including possible INTERPOL intervention if he attempted to abscond abroad. Justice Nwite granted the application in full.
Aliyu, however, has denied wrongdoing. Speaking from Saudi Arabia, he claimed ignorance of the ICPC’s invitations until informed by the Assembly Clerk. He insisted he had no role in forging documents, blaming Saad Abubakar — owner of Imanal Concept Ltd — for supplying them.
The lawmaker further asserted that he had already refunded ₦45 million to Jidda’s company through four instalments of ₦5m, ₦10m, ₦10m, and ₦20m. His legal team, Adams & Co Firstlog Chambers, argued in a 8 September letter to the ICPC that the matter was a civil dispute over consultancy fees, not a criminal case.
Nonetheless, Aliyu remains under investigation for corruption, forgery, fraud, and abuse of office.
