Odita Sunday 
Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s ₦8.68bn CCTV Contract Fraud Trial to December 8
By Odita Sunday
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and six others over an alleged ₦8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract fraud to December 8, 2026.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey.
The matter came up before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division, where the newly appointed prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, announced his appearance and informed the court of changes in the prosecution team.
Muktar subsequently sought an adjournment to enable him to study the case file, review previous proceedings and familiarise himself with the issues before the court to ensure effective prosecution of the matter.
Similarly, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, who appeared as the new counsel to the first defendant, El-Rufai, requested time to acquaint himself with the case, having recently taken over the defence from the former counsel.
After considering the submissions of both counsel, Justice Buhari granted their requests and adjourned the substantive trial to December 8, 2026, for hearing.
The Commission also disclosed that the court considered the pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to the former governor.
According to the ICPC, the court adjourned the bail application to October 16, 2026, for ruling.
The Commission recalled that it had, on June 25, 2026, arraigned El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities before the same court on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The charge, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, lists El-Rufai as the first defendant and Lawal as the second defendant, alongside Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
The allegations centre on the award of a CCTV surveillance contract for Kaduna metropolis, valued at approximately ₦8.68 billion, during El-Rufai’s administration.
The ICPC alleged that the contract was awarded in violation of applicable public procurement requirements and involved a company that lacked the requisite experience and qualifications.
The defendants have denied the allegations, which remain subject to judicial determination.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the case in accordance with due process, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all parties involved.
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