The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned until 8 December 2026 the trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and six others, who face corruption and money laundering allegations over a ₦8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract. The delay follows changes in both legal teams.
Before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it had appointed a new prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, who asked for time to study the case file and previous proceedings. Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, who recently took over El-Rufai’s defence, also sought time to prepare. The judge granted both requests.
The court also adjourned until 16 October 2026 for a ruling on a pending bail application by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to El-Rufai.
The ICPC arraigned El-Rufai, Lawal and five companies on 25 June 2026 on an amended 11-count charge, FHC/KD/93C/2026. The companies are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
The commission alleges that the Kaduna Metropolis CCTV contract, awarded during El-Rufai’s tenure, breached public procurement requirements and went to a company that lacked the necessary experience and qualifications.
The adjournment comes days after separate allegations were raised in the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo. Segun Kayode, a State Security Service forensic investigator, told the court that El-Rufai and some associates allegedly earmarked $600,000 to pay EFCC officials and intermediaries. He said forensic audio recordings captured conversations in which $500,000 and $100,000 were set aside, discussions he said centred on frustrating an EFCC investigation involving Singularity.
These allegations form part of the prosecution’s evidence and have yet to be established by the court. El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), objected to the testimony, arguing that the witness’s name and summary of evidence were missing from the prosecution’s proof of evidence.
That hearing followed the Court of Appeal in Kaduna’s dismissal of El-Rufai’s appeal against the state high court’s refusal to grant him bail. He has been in ICPC custody since 18 February 2026.
Administrator and Writer
