The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a fresh set of criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others over alleged fraud and money laundering linked to a N10.8 billion CCTV security project.
According to court documents submitted at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on April 17, the commission instituted an 11-count charge under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The ICPC alleged that El-Rufai approved the award of an N8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company it claims lacked the technical capacity to execute the project.
It further accused several individuals and firms connected to the project of receiving and transferring substantial sums between 2017 and 2022, including transactions involving Singularity Network Security Limited.
Others named in the charges 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 referenced in the allegations but is not listed as a defendant in the case.
The development was disclosed by former Kaduna Commissioner of Information and Chairman of Liberty Television, Tijjani Ramalan, in a Facebook post, indicating that the accused persons are expected to be arraigned soon.
This marks the third set of charges filed by the ICPC against El-Rufai since March. He is currently facing separate corruption-related cases involving a light rail contract and severance payments, allegations he has consistently denied.
Meanwhile, the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are also conducting independent investigations or prosecutions relating to other allegations against the former governor.
