BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Federal High Court sitting 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 Closed-Circuit Television (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, with both newly appointed counsel requesting more time to familiarise themselves with the case.
According to a press statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, by J. Okor Odey, Head of Media and Public Communications at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the matter came up before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division.
The statement said the newly appointed prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, announced his appearance and informed the court of changes in the prosecution team.
Muktar subsequently 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.
Similarly, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, who appeared as the new counsel to El-Rufai, requested more time to acquaint himself with the case after taking over the defence from the former legal representative.
After considering the applications, Justice Buhari granted the requests and adjourned the substantive trial to December 8, 2026, for hearing.
Meanwhile, the court has fixed October 16, 2026, to deliver its ruling on the pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to the ex-governor.
The ICPC had, on June 25, 2026, arraigned El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities before the same court on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The charge, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, lists El-Rufai as the first defendant and Lawal as the second defendant, alongside Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
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.
According to the Commission, the contract was allegedly 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 ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the case in accordance with due process, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all parties involved.
