The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed fresh criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others over alleged fraud and money laundering linked to a ₦10.8 billion CCTV Security project in Kaduna State.

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

Ex-Commissioner of Information in Kaduna and chairman of Liberty Television, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan in a post on his Facebook page, said El-Rufai and the seven accused persons will face the new charges soon.

Besides, the commission alleged that El-Rufai approved the award of an ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company it claims lacked the required competence.

It also alleged that several large sums were received and transferred between 2017 and 2022 by individuals and companies linked to the project, including Singularity Network Security Limited and other firms.

Others named in the case include former Kaduna State government official Jimi Lawal, senior executives of IHS Towers, and five companies. One of El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir El-Rufai, was also mentioned in the allegations but is not listed as a defendant.

This is the third set of charges filed by the ICPC against the former governor since March.

El-Rufai is already facing separate corruption-related cases involving other state projects, including a light rail contract and severance payments, all of which he has denied wrongdoing in earlier court appearances.

Other agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are also investigating or prosecuting him over separate allegations. (Guardian)

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