ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai, Ex-Aide Over Alleged N8.6bn CCTV Contract Fraud

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 alleged corruption, money laundering, and related offences linked to an N8.6 billion CCTV contract.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna on an amended 11-count charge in Charge No. FHC/KD/93C/2026.

According to the ICPC, the amended charge includes Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, and Noble Coast Resources Limited as corporate defendants. 

Also named is Bashir El-Rufai, reportedly an elder brother of the former governor, who is currently at large.

The commission alleged that while in office, El-Rufai approved the award of a contract for the procurement, design, and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis worth N8.68 billion to Singularity Network Security Limited, a company it claims lacked the technical capacity and qualifications for the project.

The ICPC further alleged that proceeds from the contract were laundered through several companies and individuals between 2017 and 2022, with over N2 billion suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

It said the alleged actions violate provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and procurement regulations, adding that El-Rufai allegedly aided corruption by approving the contract despite awareness of the company’s alleged deficiencies.

Both El-Rufai and Jimi Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.

The court adjourned the matter to July 1, 2026, for ruling on bail applications.

The ICPC case adds to other ongoing legal proceedings involving El-Rufai, including separate allegations linked to communications interception currently being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS).