The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, alongside his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Jimi Lawal, and five others over an alleged N8.6 billion CCTV contract fraud.

The defendants were brought before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna on an amended 11-count charge bordering on corruption, money laundering and related offences.

According to a statement issued by the commission on Thursday, the case, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, also listed Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited as defendants.

The ICPC further named Bashir El-Rufai, said to be an elder brother of the former governor and currently at large, in one of the counts.

The anti-graft agency alleged that El-Rufai, during his tenure as governor, approved the award of a contract worth N8.68 billion for the procurement, design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis to Singularity Network Security Limited, a firm it claimed lacked the required expertise.

The commission also alleged that funds linked to the contract were subsequently channelled through multiple companies and individuals.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly handled over N2 billion between 2017 and 2022 through a series of transactions suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

One of the counts accuses El-Rufai of facilitating an act of corruption by approving the CCTV contract in breach of procurement regulations despite allegedly knowing the contractor did not meet the necessary qualifications.

Both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Buhari adjourned the case until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the bail applications filed by the defendants.

El-Rufai is also facing separate legal challenges, including a case reportedly instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations related to the interception of communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. (The Nation)

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