ICPC Files Fresh Charges Against El-Rufai

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 The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has filed fresh criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others over alleged fraud and money laundering linked to a ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project in Kaduna State.

Court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on 17 April showed that the ICPC brought 11 counts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The commission alleged that El-Rufai approved the award of an ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company it claimed lacked the required competence.

It further alleged that various large sums were received and transferred between 2017 and 2022 by individuals and companies linked to the project, including Singularity Network Security Limited and other firms.

Those also named in the case include former Kaduna State government official Jimi Lawal, senior executives of IHS Towers, and five companies. One of El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir El-Rufai, was mentioned in the allegations but was not listed as a defendant.

Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, former Commissioner of Information in Kaduna State and chairman of Liberty Television, disclosed the development in a post on his Facebook page, saying the defendants would soon face the charges in court.

The latest filing marks the third set of charges brought by the ICPC against El-Rufai since March.

The former governor is already facing separate corruption related cases involving other state projects, including a light rail contract and severance payments, which he has previously denied.

Other agencies, including the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, are also investigating or prosecuting him over separate allegations.

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