The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, his former Senior Special Adviser Jimi Lawal, and five others over alleged corruption and money laundering linked to an N8.68 billion CCTV contract.
The defendants appeared before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, corruption and money laundering.
According to the ICPC, El-Rufai allegedly approved the multi-billion-naira CCTV surveillance contract for Singularity Network Security Limited, despite claims that the company lacked the required experience and qualifications to execute the project.
The commission alleged that proceeds from the contract were later transferred through several companies and individuals.
The anti-graft agency also claimed that between 2017 and 2022, the defendants received and possessed over ₦2 billion suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Among those listed in the charges is Bashir El-Rufai, identified as an older brother of the former governor, who the commission said is currently at large.
However, El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against them.
Following arguments from both parties, the court adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for a ruling on the defendants’ bail applications.
The former governor is also facing a separate case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations relating to the interception of the National Security Adviser’s telephone communications.
Source: Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
