Anti-corruption agency has arraigned former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and several others on an 11-count amended charge of corruption and money laundering linked to a controversial N8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed the case before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
According to court documents, El-Rufai, while serving as governor, allegedly approved the award of the contract for the procurement, survey, design and installation of the CCTV system in Kaduna metropolis to Singularity Network Security Limited. The company is accused of lacking the necessary experience and qualifications, in violation of public procurement laws.
The ICPC further alleged that proceeds from the transaction were funnelled through multiple companies and individuals, with more than N2 billion suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity transferred between 2017 and 2022.
El-Rufai and his former Senior Special Adviser Jimi Adebisi Lawal pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.
Other defendants include several companies: Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited. El-Rufai’s elder brother Bashir was mentioned in one count and is said to be at large.
The court adjourned proceedings to July 1, 2026, for a ruling on the bail applications of the defendants.
