ICPC Files Fresh ₦10.8bn Charges Against El-Rufai, Seven Others Over CCTV Contract Fraud

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is facing yet another set of criminal charges. The ICPC has filed fresh fraud and money laundering charges against him and seven others over an alleged ₦10.8 billion CCTV surveillance project — the third distinct case opened against the former governor in recent months.

Court documents obtained by Premium Times show the charges were filed on April 17 at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The indictment comprises 11 counts, all brought under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

What ICPC Alleges

The heart of the case is the award of an ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to Singularity Network Security Limited — a firm the commission says lacked the required competence and was selected in breach of procurement laws. El-Rufai allegedly approved the award just months after taking office as governor.

Other defendants include Jimi Lawal, a former Kaduna government official; Darwish Mohammad, Senior Vice President of IHS Towers and former CEO of IHS Nigeria; and five companies — Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, and Noble Coast Resources Limited.

Among the specific allegations: defendants received ₦324.8 million in September 2020, ₦83.1 million in January 2020, and ₦18.16 million — all described as proceeds of fraud. The ICPC also alleges that El-Rufai’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, received ₦30 million linked to the scheme and is currently at large.

A Crowded Docket

This CCTV case is separate from El-Rufai’s other ongoing battles — his separate ICPC case being heard at the Kaduna State High Court, and his DSS arraignment over alleged wiretapping of top government officials. His trial in the CCTV case has been separated from his co-defendants. El-Rufai’s legal team has maintained his innocence across all pending matters.

The charges have piled up rapidly since El-Rufai parted ways with the ruling APC after his failed ministerial nomination. Whether any of these cases will reach a verdict before the 2027 election cycle is the question many watchers are asking.

Sources: Premium Times, Blueprint Newspapers, The Times Nigeria