By Abigail David
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alongside his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Jimi Lawal, and five others over an alleged N8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract awarded during his administration.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, stating that the defendants were arraigned before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, in Charge No. FHC/KD/93C/2026.
According to the ICPC, the amended 11-count charge involves allegations of corruption, money laundering and related offences.
Others listed in the charge include Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
The commission alleged that the defendants received and possessed funds exceeding N2 billion between 2017 and 2022 through transactions involving the companies named in the charge. It further claimed that the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In one of the counts, the ICPC alleged that El-Rufai, while serving as governor, approved the award of a CCTV procurement, design and installation contract valued at N8.68 billion to a company it claimed lacked the requisite experience and that the award violated procurement regulations.
El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following their arraignment, Justice Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the bail applications filed by the defendants.
The former governor is also facing a separate case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations relating to the unlawful interception of communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
