ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai, Ex-Aide Over Alleged N8.68bn CCTV Contract Fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, alongside his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Mr. Jimi Adebisi Lawal, and five companies over alleged corruption and money laundering linked to an N8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract.

The defendants were brought before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, on an 11-count amended charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, unlawful contract award and movement of funds suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Also named in the charge are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.

ICPC said the amended charge, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, was filed following investigations into the award and execution of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis.

According to the anti-graft agency, El-Rufai, while serving as governor, approved the contract valued at N8,682,574,054.94 in favour of Singularity Network Security Limited, a company the commission alleged lacked the requisite experience and qualifications for the project.

The commission further alleged that the contract award violated public procurement regulations and that funds arising from the transaction were subsequently moved through several companies and individuals.

Part of the charge alleged that the former governor “aided an act of corruption” by approving the contract in violation of procurement laws.

ICPC also named Bashir El-Rufai, identified in the charge as an elder brother of the former governor, in one of the counts. The commission said he is currently at large.

The anti-corruption agency alleged that between 2017 and 2022, the defendants received, retained or transferred funds exceeding N2 billion through various transactions involving the companies listed in the charge.

According to the commission, the transactions involved monies reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

One of the counts accused El-Rufai of unlawfully approving the CCTV contract despite knowing that the company awarded the project allegedly lacked the competence required for its execution.

The charge stated that the alleged offences are punishable under relevant provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

When the charges were read in court, both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty.

Following their plea, proceedings shifted to arguments on their application for bail.

Justice Buhari subsequently adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.

The arraignment marks the latest development in the high-profile corruption case involving the former Kaduna governor and several companies linked to the controversial CCTV surveillance project.