ICPC Charges: Commentator Argues Only One Count Directly Involves El-Rufai

A public affairs commentator, Dr. Uche Diala, has questioned the manner in which the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) presented its criminal case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, arguing that only one of the 11 counts in the amended charge directly names the former governor.

In a statement titled "The New ICPC Charges Against El-Rufai: Looking Beyond the Facade," Diala reacted to the ICPC's announcement that it had arraigned El-Rufai alongside his former Senior Special Adviser, Jimi Lawal, and five others before the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

The anti-corruption agency had announced that the defendants were facing an 11-count amended charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.

According to Diala, while the ICPC publicly identified El-Rufai as the first defendant and highlighted the first count of the charge, it did not disclose that the remaining 10 counts did not directly mention the former governor.

He cited the charge sheet in Suit No. FHC/KD/93C/2026, which lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and names El-Rufai, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, Darwish Mohammad, Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited as defendants.

According to the court document reproduced by Diala, Count One accuses El-Rufai of allegedly aiding an act of corruption by approving the award of a CCTV procurement and installation contract for Kaduna metropolis, valued at about N8.68 billion, to Singularity Network Security Limited, which prosecutors allege lacked the requisite experience and was awarded the contract in violation of procurement laws.

The remaining counts primarily relate to allegations of possession, receipt and movement of funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity involving various individuals and corporate entities, including Singularity Network Security Limited, Jimi Lawal and other companies.

Diala noted that the prosecution's proof of evidence indicates that the court would be asked to determine whether El-Rufai violated procurement laws in awarding the CCTV contract and to establish the nature of those alleged violations.

He argued that the principal allegation against the former governor concerns compliance with procurement procedures rather than allegations of directly receiving or laundering public funds.

The commentator further stated that increased scrutiny of public procurement processes should apply uniformly to all public officials, expressing the view that the legal precedent being established would ultimately strengthen accountability in public office.

Expressing confidence in the outcome of the trial, Diala maintained that El-Rufai would be vindicated by the court, insisting that the former governor had not engaged in theft or corruption.

The ICPC has maintained that the defendants are facing charges under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, while the matter remains before the Federal High Court in Kaduna for determination.

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