The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Jimi Lawal, and five corporate entities over an alleged N8.68 billion fraud linked to a CCTV surveillance contract in Kaduna metropolis.

The defendants were brought before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna on an amended 11-count charge bordering on corruption, money laundering and related offences. The charge, filed as FHC/KD/93C/2026, lists El-Rufai as first defendant, followed by Lawal and the companies Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.

The ICPC also named Bashir El-Rufai, described as an elder brother of the former governor, as being at large in one of the counts.

According to the commission, while serving as governor, El-Rufai approved a contract worth N8.68 billion for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis, awarding it to Singularity Network Security Limited.

Investigators allege that Singularity lacked the requisite experience and qualifications required under public procurement laws, and that funds released for the project were subsequently moved through a web of companies and individuals connected to the defendants.

The ICPC further alleges that between 2017 and 2022, the defendants received and possessed more than N2 billion through a series of transactions involving the listed companies. The sums are said to be reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In one of the counts, the commission accuses El-Rufai of aiding an act of corruption by approving the CCTV contract in favour of Singularity Network Security Limited “in violation of procurement laws,” knowing the act to be unlawful.

El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to them in court. Their counsel applied for bail, while ICPC prosecutors opposed the applications, arguing that the gravity of the allegations and the sums involved warranted strict conditions.

Justice Buhari adjourned the matter to July 1, 2026, for ruling on the bail applications and further proceedings.

Separately, El-Rufai is also facing a case brought by the Department of State Services over alleged wiretapping of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu’s phone, underscoring the growing legal scrutiny surrounding the former governor’s time in office.