Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The former governor was arraigned alongside his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Jimi Lawal, and five corporate entities before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, in Charge No. FHC/KD/93C/2026.
According to the ICPC, the amended charge lists El-Rufai as the first defendant alongside Lawal, Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
The anti-graft agency also named Bashir El-Rufai, who is reportedly at large, in one of the counts contained in the amended charge.
The commission alleged that while serving as governor, El-Rufai approved the award of a contract valued at N8.68 billion for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis to Singularity Network Security Limited, despite the company allegedly lacking the requisite qualifications and experience for the project.
ICPC further alleged that proceeds from the contract were subsequently transferred through several companies and individuals in transactions spanning 2017 to 2022.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly received and possessed funds exceeding N2 billion, which the commission claims were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the counts specifically accuses El-Rufai of aiding an act of corruption by approving the CCTV contract in violation of procurement laws despite allegedly knowing that the contractor lacked the necessary competence to execute the project.
When the charges were read, both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty.
Following their arraignment, Justice Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the defendants’ bail applications.
The latest prosecution adds to the legal challenges confronting the former governor, who is also facing separate proceedings instituted by the Department of State Services over allegations relating to the interception of communications involving Nuhu Ribadu.