ICPC files 10 count charges against El-Rufai bothering on $22.4m alleged contract fraud, ₦11bn light rail project
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a 10-count charge against former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Kaduna and the Kaduna State High Court.
SolaceBase reports that the charges border on alleged abuse of office, fraud, criminal breach of trust, procurement breaches and conspiracy.
According to the Commission, the case before the Federal High Court centres on alleged money laundering and claims that El-Rufai received money he was not entitled to.
He’s scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Tuesday in Kaduna.
It is alleged that he received more than ₦289 million as a severance benefit above what he was entitled to under the law. It also alleged that he received foreign currency payments traced to individuals and entities linked to unlawful activities.
The Commission said the case before the Kaduna State High Court covers other allegations relating to contract awards, public funds and land transactions during his time as governor.
One of the allegations is that the Kaduna State Government committed about ₦11 billion to a proposed light rail project awarded to Indokaduna MRTS JV Nigeria Limited, which the Commission said was not properly registered, even though the project was never carried out.
ICPC said the action led to a major loss of public funds and denied the state an important infrastructure project.
The Commission also alleged that El-Rufai approved and received severance benefits far above the legal limit. While his lawful entitlement was put at about ₦20 million, the charge said he received ₦289,826,998.12.
In another count, ICPC alleged that more than $1 million from a World Bank loan was diverted and dishonestly disposed of contrary to the terms attached to the facility.
The Commission further alleged that El-Rufai approved a ₦4.61 billion CCTV contract in favour of Singularity Network Security Limited in breach of Kaduna State procurement rules.
It also accused him of using his office to confer undue advantage on the same company through another contract valued at $22.475 million.
According to the filings, the contracts did not follow due process and were awarded in violation of the state’s procurement law.
The charges also include allegations of land fraud and abuse of office.
ICPC alleged that El-Rufai and an associate, Ahmadu Sule (Leda), acting through Old Port Investment Limited, Old Port Trading Limited and TMDK Industries Limited, submitted false information to secure rights over a parcel of land along the Kaduna–Zaria Expressway.
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The Commission further alleged that the Certificate of Occupancy belonging to Mohammed Umar Karage was unlawfully revoked and the land reallocated to benefit the associate and companies linked to him.
It said the actions amounted to abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and unlawful conferral of advantage.
In another allegation, ICPC accused El-Rufai of attempting to obstruct justice. It is alleged that he conspired with Bashir Ahmad El-Rufai, who is said to be at large, to offer financial inducements in Nigeria and outside the country, including in Dubai and Cairo, in a bid to influence Federal Government investigators looking into matters involving Singularity Network Security Limited.
ICPC said it remains committed to enforcing accountability and urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the courts to decide the matter.
It described the prosecution as an important step in the fight against corruption, abuse of office, and the misuse of public resources.
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