The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has filed fresh criminal charges against former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai and seven others over an allegedly botched ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project in Kaduna State. Court documents show that the new 11‑count charge was filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on 17 April under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
ICPC alleges that El‑Rufai unlawfully approved the award of an ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to Singularity Network Security Limited, a company the commission says lacked the required competence, in breach of procurement laws. The project, meant to provide city‑wide surveillance cameras and related infrastructure, is said to have failed despite billions of naira reportedly released.
Others named in the fresh case include former Kaduna government official Jimi Lawal, senior IHS Towers executive Darwish Mohammad, and five firms: Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited. One of El‑Rufai’s sons, Bashir El‑Rufai, is mentioned in related allegations but is not listed as a defendant in this particular charge sheet.
This is the third set of charges the ICPC has brought against El‑Rufai since March, adding to earlier cases over other Kaduna projects, including a light rail contract and severance payments. He is also facing a separate Federal Government case in Abuja over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, which he has denied.
The new indictment alleges fraud, money laundering and abuse of office, with prosecutors claiming the former governor and his co‑accused conspired to divert public funds through inflated and irregular contracts. ICPC says the offences were allegedly committed between September 2015 and the end of El‑Rufai’s tenure, only months after he assumed office as governor.
ICPC has not yet announced a formal arraignment date, but officials say the defendants will be brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna to take their pleas. El‑Rufai has previously insisted he is innocent of all corruption allegations and says he will defend his record in court.
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