The Federal High Court in Kaduna has fixed December 8, 2026, for the substantive hearing of the alleged ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and six other defendants.
The adjournment followed changes in the legal teams representing the prosecution and El-Rufai.
In an official statement issued on October 15, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission said its new counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, requested time to study the file and previous proceedings.
Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, who recently took over El-Rufai’s defence, also sought time to familiarise himself with the case. Justice Hauwa’u Buhari granted the requests.
The proceedings concern an amended 11-count charge against El-Rufai, former adviser Jimi Adebisi Lawal and five companies.
The prosecution alleges procurement violations surrounding a CCTV surveillance contract for Kaduna metropolis. It also questions the qualifications and experience of a company involved in the project.
The defendants deny the allegations.
The court separately scheduled October 16 for a ruling on Lawal’s pending bail application. That scheduled ruling is distinct from the December trial date; its outcome has not been verified in the material reviewed.
BusinessDay’s report published today also confirms the adjournment and the changes in counsel.
The case remains pending, and no finding of guilt has been made against the defendants.
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