According to the amended charges, El-Rufai, during his tenure as governor, allegedly approved the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, design, and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV)
KaNo —
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alongside his former Senior Special Adviser, Jimi Lawal, and five companies over an alleged N8.68 billion fraud linked to a CCTV surveillance contract.
The defendants were brought before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna on 111 amended charges bordering on corruption, procurement violations, and money laundering.
Also listed in the charge sheet are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
The anti-corruption agency further disclosed that Bashir El-Rufai, identified as an elder brother of the former governor, was mentioned in one of the counts and is currently at large.
Alleged Contract Irregularities
According to the amended charges, El-Rufai, during his tenure as governor, allegedly approved the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, design, and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis at a reviewed cost of N8.68 billion.
The ICPC alleged that the contract was awarded to Singularity Network Security Limited, a firm it claimed lacked the requisite technical capacity and experience to execute such a project, in violation of public procurement laws.
Specifically, the agency claimed that more than N2 billion was received or controlled by the defendants through multiple transfers involving the companies named in the charge between 2017 and 2022.
One of the counts accused El-Rufai of aiding corruption by approving the contract despite allegedly being aware that due process had not been followed and that the contractor lacked the necessary qualifications.
The offences, according to the ICPC, contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Defendants Plead Not Guilty
When the charges were read in court, both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, Justice Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for a ruling on the bail applications filed by the defendants.
Legal observers noted that the case adds to a growing list of prosecutions instituted against the former governor by the ICPC.
Earlier in March, the commission had arraigned El-Rufai alongside an associate, Joel Adoga, over the alleged laundering of N579 million and $1.1 million said to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The defendants also pleaded not guilty in that case.
The former governor has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that his actions while in office were in line with the law.
Atiku Raises Concerns Over Bail Conditions
Meanwhile, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the handling of El-Rufai’s case, particularly the bail conditions imposed by the court.
He warned that such conditions risk turning the judicial process into a tool for punishing opposition figures rather than ensuring justice.
“The law is settled that an accused person remains innocent until proven guilty. Bail exists to preserve that constitutional protection. It was never designed to become a sophisticated instrument for punishment before conviction,” Atiku stated.
The former vice president questioned the rationale behind conditions reportedly requiring a defendant to produce a serving Grade Level 17 federal civil servant who must also own verifiable property in highbrow areas such as Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja.
According to him, such requirements are unrealistic for most Nigerians and undermine the essence of bail as a safeguard of personal liberty.
Atiku warned that the implications of imposing excessively stringent bail conditions extend beyond the immediate case.
“This is not merely about one individual. It is about the principles that underpin a democratic society governed by the rule of law. Today it is El-Rufai. Tomorrow it could be any citizen,” he said.
He expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend in which opposition figures and government critics are entangled in legal battles that appear politically motivated.
The former vice president urged the judiciary to exercise its discretionary powers judiciously, emphasizing that bail conditions must be reasonable and achievable.
“Bail conditions should secure attendance in court, not guarantee continued incarceration,” he added.
Legal and Political Implications
The case against El-Rufai has drawn significant public attention, given his prominence in Nigeria’s political landscape and his role in national politics.
Analysts say the proceedings could test the strength of Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework as well as the independence of the judiciary.
They also note that the intersection of legal proceedings and political commentary, as reflected in Atiku’s intervention, underscores the broader tensions surrounding governance, accountability, and the rule of law in the country.
While the ICPC maintains that its actions are guided strictly by evidence and the law, critics have raised concerns about the perception of selective prosecution and the potential politicisation of anti-corruption efforts.
