Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s ₦8.68bn CCTV Contract Fraud Trial to December 8
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and six others over an alleged ₦8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract fraud to December 8, 2026.
The adjournment followed changes in the legal teams representing the prosecution and the former governor, with both sides requesting additional time to familiarise themselves with the case.
The matter, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), came up before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division.
The newly appointed prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, informed the court of the change in the prosecution team and requested an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and review previous proceedings.
Similarly, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, who recently took over as counsel to El-Rufai, asked the court for time to familiarise himself with the case.
After considering the requests, Justice Buhari adjourned the substantive trial until December 8, 2026, for hearing.
The court also considered a pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to El-Rufai. The judge adjourned the application to October 16, 2026, for ruling.
The ICPC had, on June 25, 2026, arraigned El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities before the court on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The case, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, lists El-Rufai as the first defendant, followed by Lawal and five companies: Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
According to the ICPC, the allegations relate to the award of a CCTV surveillance contract for Kaduna Metropolis valued at approximately ₦8.68 billion during El-Rufai’s administration.
The commission alleged that the contract was awarded in violation of applicable public procurement requirements and involved a company that lacked the necessary experience and qualifications.
The defendants have denied the allegations, which remain subject to judicial determination.
The ICPC said it remained committed to prosecuting the case in accordance with due process, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all parties.
