The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor Jimi Lawal, and five others on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
Court Appearance and Charges
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Hauwa'u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna in Charge No. FHC/KD/93C/2026, according to a statement released by the ICPC on Thursday, June 25. The commission said the amended charge also lists several companies, including Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited. It further named Bashir El-Rufai, who is currently at large, in one of the counts.
Allegations of Contract Fraud
According to the ICPC, El-Rufai, while serving as governor of Kaduna State, approved the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis valued at ₦8.68 billion to Singularity Network Security Limited, a company it alleges lacked the required technical capacity.
The commission further alleged that proceeds from the contract were subsequently moved through multiple companies and individuals in a series of transactions between 2017 and 2022. It claimed that more than ₦2 billion was received and transferred through various entities, which it said were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The ICPC stated that the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Plea and Adjournment
One of the counts alleges that El-Rufai aided corruption by approving the CCTV contract in violation of procurement regulations, despite allegedly knowing that the company lacked the necessary qualifications. Both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court. The case was adjourned until July 1, 2026, for ruling on bail applications.
Other Legal Proceedings
El-Rufai is also facing separate legal proceedings, including a case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), which involves allegations linked to the interception of communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
