Again, ICPC Arraigns Jimi Lawal, El-Rufai, Others Over N80bn Fraud In Kaduna
A kaduna State High Court has arraigned the Ogun State Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jimi Lawal, for alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dragged Lawal alongside his boss, former governor Nasir el-Rufai, of Kaduna, and four others before the court over alleged fraud.
They were arraigned on an 11-count amended charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The four other defendants are Singularity Network Security Limited; Solar Life Nigeria Limited; Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited; Intercellular Nigeria Limited; and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
In a statement published on the website of ICPC, Bashir el-Rufai, an elder brother of the former governor, who is currently at large, is also mentioned in one of the counts.
The anti-graft agency in the amended charge sheet, told the court that El-Rufai “unlawfully approved the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna Metropolis in the reviewed sum of ₦8,682,574,054.94 to Singularity Network Security Limited, contrary to public procurement laws, a company alleged to lack the requisite experience and qualifications”.
ICPC also alleged that they “knowingly received or took possession of funds amounting to over ₦2 billion through various transactions involving Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited between 2017 and 2022”.
However, El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case was adjourned to July 1, 2026 for ruling on the bail application.
It will be recalled Jimi Lawal worked with El-Rufai who served as Kaduna governor from 2015 and 2023.
Lawal was a senior adviser to the former governor and a counsellor at the Kaduna Economic Development Council from 2019 to 2023.
He also served as el-Rufai’s special adviser during his first term.