The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and six others over an alleged ₦8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract to December 8, 2026, following changes in the legal teams representing the prosecution and the former governor.
The case, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), came up on Thursday before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Kaduna Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.
The newly appointed prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, informed the court of changes in the prosecution team and sought an adjournment to enable him to study the case file, review previous proceedings and familiarise himself with the issues involved.
Similarly, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, who recently took over as counsel to El-Rufai, requested time to acquaint himself with the case and prepare the former governor’s defence.
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Justice Buhari granted both requests and adjourned the substantive trial until December 8 for hearing.
Meanwhile, the court fixed October 16, 2026, to rule on the bail application filed by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to El-Rufai.
The ICPC had, on June 25, 2026, arraigned El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities before the court on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The charge, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, also lists Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited as defendants.
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 ICPC, the contract was allegedly awarded in violation of public procurement requirements, while the company involved was said to lack the requisite experience and qualifications.
The defendants have denied the allegations, which remain before the court for determination.
The ICPC said it remained committed to prosecuting the case in accordance with due process, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all parties.
