A Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the alleged N8.68 billion corruption and money laundering trial involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and six other defendants until December 8, 2026.

The case, which concerns a CCTV surveillance contract awarded during El-Rufai’s administration, was adjourned after changes to the legal teams representing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the former governor.

The matter came up on Thursday before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the court’s Kaduna Judicial Division.

The newly appointed prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, informed the court of changes within the ICPC’s legal team and requested more time to study the case file and review previous proceedings.

El-Rufai’s new defence counsel, Mustapha Abubakar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also asked for an adjournment to familiarise himself with the details of the case.

After considering the requests, the court granted the adjournment and fixed December 8 for the commencement of the substantive hearing.

The court also scheduled Friday, October 16, 2026, to deliver its ruling on a pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, who previously served as a senior special adviser and counsellor to El-Rufai.

The ICPC disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey.

The case stems from an amended 11 count charge filed by the anti corruption agency against El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities over the award and execution of a CCTV surveillance contract valued at approximately N8.68 billion.

The defendants were arraigned on June 25, 2026, in a case marked FHC/KD/93C/2026.

The corporate defendants are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.

According to the ICPC, the allegations include violations of public procurement regulations in the award of the contract and the involvement of a company allegedly lacking the necessary experience and qualifications to execute the project.

El-Rufai and the other defendants have denied the allegations.

The commission reiterated its commitment to pursuing the case in accordance with due process, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all parties.