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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, over an alleged ₦8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract fraud. The defendants were brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on an amended 11-count charge bordering on corruption, procurement violations, and money laundering linked to a surveillance project awarded during El-Rufai’s administration.
According to the ICPC, El-Rufai allegedly approved the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, design, and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis at a revised cost of ₦8.68 billion. The anti-graft agency claims the contract was awarded to Singularity Network Security Limited despite the company allegedly lacking the technical capacity and qualifications required to execute such a project. Investigators further alleged that proceeds from the contract were subsequently transferred through multiple companies and individuals in transactions involving more than ₦2 billion suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The commission listed several corporate entities as co-defendants in the case, including Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, and Noble Coast Resources Limited. The charge also mentions Bashir El-Rufai, identified as an elder brother of the former governor, who is reportedly at large and named in one of the counts. Prosecutors contend that the defendants violated provisions of Nigeria’s anti-corruption and money laundering laws through the award and subsequent handling of funds connected to the project.
Both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before the court. Following their pleas, Justice Hauwa’u Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for a ruling on the defendants’ bail applications. The latest prosecution adds to a series of legal battles facing the former governor, who is also involved in other ongoing cases instituted by anti-corruption and security agencies. Despite the allegations, El-Rufai has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is expected to challenge the charges as the trial proceeds.
