The Rich Also Cry as Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Trial on Alleged ₦8.68bn CCTV Contract Fraud to December 8

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core Reporter) – The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and six others over alleged corruption and money laundering involving an ₦8.68 billion Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance contract to December 8, 2026, following changes in the legal teams representing the prosecution and the first defendant.

The matter, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), came up before Honourable 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 a change in the prosecution team.

Muktar consequently 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 announced his appearance as the new counsel to the first defendant, Mallam 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, the presiding judge granted their requests and adjourned the substantive trial to December 8, 2026, for hearing.

Meanwhile, the court also considered the pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Mr Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to the former governor. The presiding judge adjourned the application to October 16, 2026, for ruling.

It would be recalled that the ICPC had, on June 25, 2026, arraigned the former governor, his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Mr. Jimi Adebisi 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, names El-Rufai as the first defendant, alongside Lawal, 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 Commission alleged, among other things, 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 remains committed to pursuing the matter in accordance with due process, the rule of law, and the constitutional rights of all parties involved.