The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Kaduna over an alleged ₦8.68 billion fraud linked to a CCTV surveillance project in the state.
Key Highlight:
- The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission arraigned former Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai over an alleged ₦8.68 billion fraud linked to a CCTV surveillance project in Kaduna State.
- El-Rufai was charged alongside former aide Jimi Adebisi Lawal and five companies over alleged corruption and money laundering.
- ICPC alleged that El-Rufai approved the CCTV contract despite the beneficiary company allegedly lacking the required technical expertise, in violation of procurement regulations.
- Investigators claimed that over ₦2 billion suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities was routed through several companies and individuals between 2017 and 2022.
- El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to all charges, while the court adjourned the case to July 1, 2026, for a ruling on their bail applications.
El-Rufai was charged alongside his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, as well as five companies accused of involvement in the alleged corruption and money laundering scheme.
The matter, filed under charge number FHC/KD/93C/2026, came before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna. Other defendants named in the amended 11-count charge include Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
According to the anti-graft agency, the charges stem from the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance network across the Kaduna metropolis.
ICPC alleged that while serving as governor, El-Rufai approved the contract valued at ₦8,682,574,054.94 in favour of Singularity Network Security Limited despite the company allegedly lacking the technical expertise and experience required to execute the project. The Commission maintained that the contract award violated public procurement regulations.
Investigators further alleged that funds associated with the contract were subsequently moved through multiple companies and individuals in transactions that occurred between 2017 and 2022.
According to the Commission, more than ₦2 billion suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities was traced through various financial channels linked to the companies named in the charge. The agency argued that the transactions were structured to conceal the true origin of the funds.
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The amended charge also mentioned Bashir El-Rufai, identified as an elder brother of the former governor, in connection with one of the counts. Prosecutors informed the court that he is currently at large.
One of the charges alleges that El-Rufai unlawfully approved the CCTV contract despite being aware that the beneficiary company lacked the necessary qualifications, an action the Commission said contravenes provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At the arraignment, both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following their plea, defence counsel urged the court to grant the defendants bail pending the determination of the case.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Buhari adjourned proceedings until July 1, 2026, when the court is expected to deliver its ruling on the bail applications.
The case is expected to draw significant public attention as it marks one of the most high-profile corruption prosecutions involving a former state governor in recent years.
