The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated fresh criminal proceedings against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and seven other individuals. The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on April 17, 2026, relate to alleged fraud and money laundering connected to a ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project in the state.
Details of the Charges
According to court documents, the ICPC brought 11 counts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Former Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and chairman of Liberty Television, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, announced via a Facebook post that El-Rufai and the other accused persons will face these new charges shortly.
The commission alleges that El-Rufai approved the award of an ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company that lacked the required competence. Furthermore, it is claimed that substantial sums of money were received and transferred between 2017 and 2022 by individuals and companies linked to the project, including Singularity Network Security Limited and other firms.
Defendants and Related Parties
Others named in the case include former Kaduna State government official Jimi Lawal, senior executives of IHS Towers, and five companies. Notably, one of El-Rufai's sons, Bashir El-Rufai, was mentioned in the allegations but is not listed as a defendant.
This marks the third set of charges filed by the ICPC against the former governor since March 2026. El-Rufai is already facing separate corruption-related cases involving other state projects, including a light rail contract and severance payments. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in earlier court appearances.
Other agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are also investigating or prosecuting him over separate allegations.
