NIPC CEO Aisha Rimi Accused of Defrauding Lagos State Government of N3 Billion.
Aisha Rimi, the recently appointed CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) by President Bola Tinubu, is facing allegations of involvement in a fraud case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously indicted her in a case related to the alleged diversion of Lagos state government funds amounting to N3 billion.
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In 2018, the EFCC initiated an investigation after the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) detected suspicious transactions exceeding N3 billion from the Lagos state government Number Plate Production Authority into the accounts of Rimi and Partners and Ekosina Investment Limited.
Both of these companies had Aisha Rimi as a signatory, and she was the sole proprietor of the law firm.
Olamide Sadiq, the EFCC lawyer, revealed that Aisha Rimi was the major partner in Rimi and Partners and was also in control of Ekosina Investment Limited, which had received substantial transfers from the Lagos state government Number Plate Production Authority.
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At the time of the investigation, Aisha Rimi’s husband, Folorunsho Coker, served as the managing director of the Number Plate Authority, leading to suspicions that government funds had been diverted with his involvement, potentially making him the primary suspect while Aisha Rimi was considered an accomplice in the alleged fraud. Both of her companies were listed as the second and third respondents in the EFCC’s legal action.
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The probe in 2018 led to the freezing of ten Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) accounts belonging to Aisha Rimi and her associated companies.
It remains uncertain whether the EFCC informed President Bola Tinubu about the fraud allegations against Aisha Rimi before her appointment as CEO of NIPC. Additionally, it is unclear whether the anti-graft agency concluded its investigation in 2018.
The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwajuren, has not yet provided a response regarding whether the findings were shared with President Bola Tinubu. The presidency has also not commented on whether President Tinubu was aware of the allegations before appointing Aisha Rimi to the NIPC.
This situation is not the first instance of individuals with alleged corruption-related issues securing high-level positions within President Bola Tinubu’s government. Femi Gbajabiamila, whose law license was terminated by the State Bar of Georgia in the United States due to corruption and ethical lapses, currently serves as the president’s chief of staff.
