The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Jimi Lawal, and five companies over an amended 11-count charge involving alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The defendants were brought before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna in a case marked FHC/KD/93C/2026.
According to the ICPC, the amended charge lists El-Rufai as the first defendant alongside Lawal, Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
The anti-corruption agency also named Bashir El-Rufai, identified as an elder brother of the former governor and currently at large, in one of the charges.
The commission alleged that while serving as governor, El-Rufai approved the award of a contract valued at N8.68 billion for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system across Kaduna metropolis.
ICPC claimed the contract was awarded to Singularity Network Security Limited despite the company allegedly lacking the necessary experience and qualifications required for such a project.
The commission further alleged that funds generated from the contract were subsequently transferred through a network of companies and individuals in a series of transactions carried out between 2017 and 2022.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly received and retained funds exceeding N2 billion, which investigators believe were proceeds of unlawful activities.
The ICPC stated that the alleged offences violate provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the counts specifically accuses El-Rufai of facilitating an act of corruption by approving the CCTV contract in breach of procurement regulations, despite allegedly being aware that the company awarded the contract did not possess the required competence and experience.
When the charges were read in court, both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, the court adjourned proceedings until July 1, 2026, when it is expected to rule on the bail applications filed by the defendants.
The former governor is also facing other legal challenges, including a separate prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations relating to the interception of communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai, Ex-Aide, Five Firms Over Alleged N8.68bn CCTV Contract Fraud
