By Adesakin Adefemi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, his ex-Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor Jimi Lawal, and five others over an alleged N8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract awarded during his administration.
The defendants were brought before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Charge No. FHC/KD/93C/2026. ICPC filed an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering, and related offences.
Listed alongside El-Rufai and Lawal are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, and Noble Coast Resources Limited. Bashir El-Rufai, identified as an elder brother of the former governor and currently at large, was named in one of the counts.
According to the commission, El-Rufai, while serving as governor, approved the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, final design, and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis valued at N8,682,574,054.94 to Singularity Network Security Limited. ICPC alleged the company lacked the requisite experience and qualifications required for the contract, in violation of procurement laws.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that funds linked to the project were subsequently transferred through a network of companies and individuals. ICPC said the defendants received and possessed funds exceeding N2 billion between 2017 and 2022 through a series of transactions involving the companies named in the charge.
The commission stated that the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and that the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Count One accused El-Rufai of aiding an act of corruption by approving the CCTV contract to a company without requisite experience, an act the prosecution said he knew was unlawful.
Both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court. The other corporate defendants were also entered as not guilty. The arraignment marks a significant escalation in investigations into procurement processes during the former governor’s administration.
Justice Buhari adjourned the case until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the defendants’ bail applications. The court will determine the conditions under which the former governor, his ex-aide, and the corporate entities will remain pending trial.
El-Rufai is also facing a separate case instituted by the Department of State Services involving allegations of wiretapping of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu’s phone. ICPC said the arraignment is part of its broader mandate to investigate and prosecute high-profile corruption cases and emphasized its commitment to pursuing cases involving public funds and ensuring accountability in government contracting.
