The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State Governor, and
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State Governor, and six other defendants over alleged corruption and money laundering involving an N8.68 billion closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance contract to December 8, 2026.
The adjournment followed changes in the legal teams representing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is prosecuting the case, and El-Rufai, the first defendant.
The matter came up on Thursday before Hauwa’u Buhari, Justice of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division, where Ibrahim Muktar, the newly appointed prosecution counsel, 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 in the case to ensure effective prosecution.
Similarly, Mustapha Abubakar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who recently took over El-Rufai’s defence, sought time to acquaint himself with the details of the case.
The court granted the requests after considering the submissions of both counsel and fixed December 8 for the commencement of the substantive hearing.
Meanwhile, the court adjourned until Friday, October 16, 2026, for ruling on a pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to El-Rufai.
The ICPC disclosed these developments in a statement issued on Thursday by Okor Odey, its Head of Media and Public Communications.
The case arose from an amended 11-count charge filed by the anti-corruption agency against El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities over the award and execution of a CCTV surveillance contract valued at approximately N8.68 billion during El-Rufai’s administration as governor of Kaduna Stat.
The former governor and the other defendants were arraigned on June 25, 2026, before the same court.
The charge, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, lists El-Rufai as the first defendant and Lawal as the second defendant.
The five corporate defendants are 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 allegations include the award of the surveillance contract in violation of applicable public procurement requirements and the involvement of a company allegedly lacking the requisite experience and qualifications to execute the project.
The defendants have denied the allegations.
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 involved.
Related News