Even the rich cry as Court adjourns trial of El-Rufai for alleged P8.68 billion contract fraud to December 8

Even the rich cry as Court adjourns trial of El-Rufai for alleged P8.68 billion contract fraud to December 8

From our journalist

Abuja (Lead 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 for alleged corruption and money laundering involving a P8.68 billion closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance contract to December 8, 2026, following changes in the legal teams representing the plaintiff and the first defendant.

The matter, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), was presented to the Honorable Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division, where the new prosecuting lawyer, Ibrahim Muktar, announced his appearance and informed the court of a change in the prosecution team.

Muktar therefore sought an adjournment to enable him study the case file, review previous proceedings and familiarize himself with the matters before the court to ensure effective prosecution of the matter.

Likewise, Mustapha Abubakar (SAN), who announced his appearance as the new lawyer to the first defendant, Mallam El-Rufai, asked for time to brief himself on the case, having recently taken over the defense from the previous lawyer.

After examining the arguments of both defense lawyers, the presiding judge granted their requests and adjourned the trial on the merits to December 8, 2026 for the hearing.

Meanwhile, the court also heard the pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Adviser to the former governor. The president of the court postponed the appeal to 16 October 2026 for a decision.

It would be recalled that the ICPC had, on June 25, 2026, arraigned the former governor, his former Special Adviser and Senior Adviser, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, and five corporate entities before the same court on an amended charge of 11 counts bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.

The indictment, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, names El-Rufai as the prime defendant, along with Lawal, Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.

The allegations focus on the award of a CCTV surveillance contract for the Kaduna metropolis, worth approximately ₦8.68 billion, during El-Rufai’s administration. The Commission argued, among other things, that the contract had been awarded in breach of the applicable public procurement requirements and involved a company lacking the required experience and qualifications.

The defendants have denied the charges, which remain subject to judicial decision.

The Commission remains committed to pursuing this matter with due process, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all parties involved.