Breaking: Ogun ADC Governorship Candidate, Jimi Lawal, El-Rufai Arraigned Over Alleged Corruption, Money Laundering
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Jimi Lawal, alongside five companies, over alleged corruption, money laundering, and related offences.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on an 11-count amended charge filed by the anti-graft agency.
Others listed in the charge include Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
According to the ICPC, the charges stem from the alleged unlawful award of a multi-billion naira contract for the procurement, survey planning, final design, and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna metropolis.
The Commission alleged that El-Rufai approved the contract, valued at ₦8.68 billion, in favour of Singularity Network Security Limited, a company it claimed lacked the requisite qualifications and experience required under public procurement regulations.
The anti-corruption agency further alleged that the defendants knowingly received and took possession of over ₦2 billion through a series of transactions involving the companies named in the charge between 2017 and 2022.
ICPC also mentioned Bashir El-Rufai, an elder brother of the former governor, in one of the counts, alleging his involvement in aspects of the transactions under investigation. He was, however, reported to be at large.
At the arraignment, both El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Following their pleas, the court adjourned proceedings until July 1, 2026, for ruling on pending bail applications.
Jimi Lawal, a former senior adviser to El-Rufai and a former counsellor at the Kaduna Economic Development Council, is currently the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State.
The latest arraignment adds to a series of legal battles involving the former Kaduna governor.
El-Rufai is currently facing separate prosecutions by both the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations ranging from corruption and money laundering to the unlawful interception of telephone communications linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
While some courts have granted him bail under varying conditions, other applications have been denied, with legal proceedings continuing across different jurisdictions.
The case is expected to resume on July 1, when the court will determine the bail applications and set a schedule for trial.
