The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, his former adviser, Jimi Lawal and five others over alleged N8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract.

The defendants were brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on an amended 11-count charge bordering on corruption, money laundering and related offences.

According to the commission, el-Rufai approved the CCTV project during his tenure and awarded the contract to Singularity Network Security Limited, a company the agency claims lacked the required experience and qualifications. 

The ICPC further alleged that funds linked to the project were moved through several companies and individuals between 2017 and 2022.

In one of the charges, the commission stated: “That you, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (M) sometime in December, 2015 or thereabout at Kaduna, Kaduna State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being the Executive Governor of Kaduna State aided an act of corruption, when you approved the award of contract for the procurement of survey planning, final design and installation of CCTV at Kaduna metropolis in the reviewed sum of N8,682,574,054.94 to Messrs. Singularity Network Security Limited, a company with no requisite experience and in violation of procurement laws.”

Both el-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before the court. 

Justice Hauwa’u Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1st, 2026, for a ruling on the bail applications filed by the defendants.

The former governor is also facing a separate case filed by the DSS over allegations of illegally monitoring the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja.