ICPC arraigns El-Rufai, ex-aide, over alleged N8.6bn CCTV contract fraud

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, along with his former Senior Special Adviser Jimi Lawal and five other defendants, faces charges related to an alleged N8.6 billion fraud involving a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system contract. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) brought an amended 11-count charge before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, accusing them of corruption, money laundering, and related offenses.

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El-Rufai, while serving as governor of Kaduna State, approved the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis valued at N8.68 billion to Singularity Network Security Limited, a company it claimed lacked the required experience and qualifications.

The ICPC alleges that while governor, El-Rufai approved the contract for Singularity Network Security Limited, a company reportedly lacking the necessary experience and qualifications for the project. The commission further claims that proceeds from this contract were subsequently funneled through several companies and individuals. The defendants are accused of receiving and possessing over N2 billion in funds between 2017 and 2022, which the ICPC suspects are proceeds of unlawful activities.

One specific count accuses El-Rufai of aiding corruption by approving the CCTV contract in violation of procurement laws, despite allegedly knowing the awarded company's lack of experience. Both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court has adjourned the matter for ruling on their bail applications.

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the defendants allegedly received and possessed funds exceeding N2 billion through a series of transactions involving the companies between 2017 and 2022, funds the commission said were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

This case is one of several El-Rufai is currently facing. He is also reportedly under prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) on five counts related to the alleged interception of communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

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El-Rufai aided an act of corruption by approving the CCTV contract in violation of procurement laws despite allegedly knowing that the company awarded the contract lacked the requisite experience.