The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Mr. Jimi Adebisi Lawal, and five companies before the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The defendants were arraigned on an 11-count amended charge marked FHC/KD/93C/2026 before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari.
The companies named in the charge are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
According to the ICPC, Bashir El-Rufai, an elder brother of the former governor, who is currently at large, was also mentioned in one of the counts.
The anti-corruption agency alleged that while serving as governor, El-Rufai unlawfully approved the award of a contract valued at ₦8.68 billion for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis.
The Commission alleged that the contract was awarded to Singularity Network Security Limited despite the company allegedly lacking the requisite experience and qualifications, in violation of public procurement laws.
ICPC further alleged that proceeds from the contract were subsequently transferred through various companies and individuals, with several counts relating to the alleged possession, receipt and movement of funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity involving billions of naira.
According to the amended charge, the defendants allegedly received or took possession of more than ₦2 billion through transactions involving Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited between 2017 and 2022.
The Commission said the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the counts alleged that El-Rufai aided an act of corruption by approving the CCTV contract in favour of a company that lacked the necessary experience, contrary to the provisions of the law.
When the charges were read in court, both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty.
Justice Buhari subsequently adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the defendants’ bail application.
