A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has adjourned proceedings in the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of abuse of office, fraud and financial misconduct.
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The case, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, relates to alleged financial irregularities said to have occurred during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.
At the resumed sitting on Monday, El-Rufai was brought to court at about 9:30 a.m. by ICPC officials, accompanied by operatives of the Department of State Services and the police.
The court was expected to continue hearing motions and arguments from both the prosecution and defence, following earlier proceedings that focused on El-Rufai’s bail application and related legal issues.
However, the matter could not proceed as expected due to the absence of two defendants charged alongside the former governor.
The court consequently adjourned the case to June 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Prosecutors alleged that funds were improperly released for projects that were either not executed or were irregularly managed.
El-Rufai, through his lawyers, has consistently denied the allegations and maintained his innocence.
On April 14, 2026, the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, granted the former governor bail in the sum of ₦200 million.
The bail conditions included two sureties, one of whom must be a serving or retired civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
El-Rufai’s lawyers later applied before the Federal High Court for a variation of the bail conditions.
However, a Kaduna State High Court presided over by Justice Darius Khobo had earlier declined bail to the former governor, citing concerns that his influence could interfere with investigations into serious corruption allegations brought by the ICPC.
The former governor has continued to deny wrongdoing as the trial proceeds.
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