ICPC arraigns El-Rufai, former aide, 5 companies over alleged ₦8.68bn contract scam

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has preferred charges against the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in Federal High Court in Kaduna State for alleged ₦8.68 billion fraud related to a CCTV surveillance deal.

Mr. El-Rufai appeared in court together with his former Senior Special Adviser and Counselor, Mr. Jimi Adebisi Lawal and five companies on corruption, money laundering and financial impropriety charges.

This case, whose charge number is FHC/KD/93C/2026, is being heard at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, presided over by Justice Hauwa’Buhari.

The rest of the defendants, charged on an amended 11-count charge, are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.

The anti-corruption agency also named Bashir El-Rufai who, according to the allegation, is one of the elder brothers of the former governor, in one of the charges. He is believed to be on the run.

The ICPC claims that the charges have emanated from the award of a contract for procurement, planning, final design and installation of the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system across the Kaduna metropolis.

The Commission alleged that El-Rufai, as a governor, approved a contract worth ₦8,682,574,054.94 to Singularity Network Security Limited notwithstanding the company’s inability to handle the contract due to its lack of technical know-how and experience.

Investigations have further revealed that funds related to the contract were siphoned through various companies and persons in the period between 2017 and 2022.

It was further alleged by the ICPC that more than ₦2 billion of corrupt money was channeled through various means including those of the companies mentioned in the charge with the aim of concealing the origin of the money.

In one of the charges, El-Rufai was accused of aiding an act of corruption by approving the CCTV contract contrary to the laws of procurement.

According to the Commission, the offence committed is in violation of some sections of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

On Wednesday, during the proceedings, El-Rufai and Lawal both pled not guilty to the charges levelled against them.

Following the pleas, their legal representation sought bail for them.

In response to submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, Justice Buhari fixed another date for the hearing of the application.