The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, alongside his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Jimi Lawal, and five other defendants over alleged corruption and money laundering involving a CCTV surveillance contract valued at N8.68 billion.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna on an amended 11-count charge filed by the anti-corruption agency, The News Edition reports.
ICPC Files Fresh Charges
According to a statement issued by the ICPC, the case, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, names El-Rufai as the first defendant alongside Lawal and several corporate entities, including Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
The commission also listed Bashir El-Rufai, identified as an elder brother of the former governor, in one of the charges. He is currently said to be at large.
Alleged Irregularities in CCTV Contract Award
The ICPC alleged that while serving as Governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai approved the award of a contract for the procurement, design, survey planning, and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system within Kaduna metropolis.
According to the commission, the contract, valued at N8.68 billion, was awarded to Singularity Network Security Limited despite the company allegedly lacking the required technical expertise, experience, and qualifications for the project.
The anti-graft agency further claimed that funds linked to the contract were subsequently transferred through several companies and individuals in transactions spanning multiple years.
Money Laundering Allegations
The ICPC alleged that more than N2 billion was received and retained through a network of financial transactions involving some of the companies named in the charge between 2017 and 2022.
According to the commission, the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, an action it said contravenes 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 violation of procurement regulations despite allegedly knowing that the contractor lacked the necessary qualifications.
Defendants Plead Not Guilty
When the charges were read in court, both El-Rufai and Jimi Lawal pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
Their legal teams subsequently applied for bail, urging the court to grant their clients temporary freedom pending the determination of the case.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari adjourned proceedings until July 1, 2026, when the court is expected to rule on the bail applications.
El-Rufai Faces Other Legal Battles
The latest prosecution adds to a growing list of legal challenges involving the former Kaduna governor.
El-Rufai is also facing separate charges relating to the alleged interception of communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
In that matter, security authorities are pursuing allegations connected to the unlawful interception of communications, although proceedings remain ongoing.
The outcome of both cases is expected to attract significant public and political attention given El-Rufai’s prominence in Nigeria’s political landscape.