Metro

ICPC Hits El-Rufai with Fresh N10.8bn Fraud Charges

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a third set of criminal charges against former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and seven others over alleged fraud and money laundering linked to a N10.8 billion CCTV security project.

Others named in the suit include former Kaduna government official Jimi Lawal, senior executives of IHS Towers, and five companies.

Court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on 17 April show that the ICPC has brought 11 counts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The anti-corruption body alleges that El-Rufai approved an N8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 for a company that lacked the required competence.

It further claims that large sums were received and transferred between 2017 and 2022 by individuals and firms linked to the project, including Singularity Network Security Limited.

One of El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir El-Rufai, was reportedly involved but has not yet been listed as a defendant.

Former Kaduna Commissioner for Information and Liberty Television chairman, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, disclosed this in a Facebook post, stating that the accused would face trial shortly.

This marks the third set of charges the ICPC has brought against El-Rufai since March, Elanza News can confirm.

The embattled former governor is also facing separate corruption cases involving a light rail contract and severance payments, all of which he has denied.

In addition, the State Security Service (SSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are separately investigating or prosecuting him over other allegations.