Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s ₦8.68bn CCTV Contract Trial to December 8
Kola Oyelere Kano
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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 adjournment followed changes in the legal teams representing the prosecution and El-Rufai, the first defendant in the case.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed this in a press statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Media and Public
Communications, J. Okor Odey.
The case came up before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division, where the newly appointed prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, informed the court of changes in the prosecution team.
Muktar requested an adjournment to enable him to study the case file, review previous proceedings and familiarise himself with the issues involved to ensure effective prosecution.
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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 applications, Justice Buhari granted the requests and adjourned the substantive trial until December 8 for hearing.
Meanwhile, the court has fixed Friday, October 16, 2026, for a ruling on the pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to El-Rufai.
The ICPC recalled that it arraigned El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities before the same court on June 25, 2026, on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The case, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, lists the former governor as the first defendant and Lawal as the second.
The five corporate entities named in the charge are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
According to the commission, 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.
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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.
However, the defendants have denied the allegations, which remain subject to judicial determination.
The commission reiterated its commitment to pursuing the case in accordance with due process, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all parties involved.