EL-RUFAI ARRIVES KADUNA COURT FOR CONTINUATION OF CORRUPTION TRIAL

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By Aisat Momoh. O.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Tuesday arrived at the Kaduna State High Court for the continuation of his corruption trial, accompanied by the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru.

El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 11:50 a.m., ahead of the scheduled noon hearing, amid tight security around the complex.

His appearance followed an order by Justice Darius Khobo directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to produce him in court for the resumed proceedings.

The case was adjourned on Monday after the former governor failed to appear in court, following information that he had requested to see his personal physician to review medical test results.

At Monday’s sitting, ICPC lead counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe, told the court that the prosecution had expected El-Rufai to be present despite an earlier adjournment request by his lead defence counsel, Paul Erokoro.

Adedipe said he contacted the commission to ascertain why the former governor had not been brought to court and was informed that El-Rufai had requested access to his personal doctor.

The prosecution subsequently informed the court, prompting Justice Khobo to order the ICPC to produce the defendant for Tuesday’s proceedings.

The resumed hearing comes days after the Court of Appeal in Kaduna dismissed El-Rufai’s appeal challenging the state high court’s refusal to grant him bail.

In its judgment delivered on October 9, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision, ruling that the former governor had failed to establish sufficient grounds to warrant interference with the denial of bail.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, over allegations of financial misconduct linked to his administration of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

He is facing multiple cases involving allegations of money laundering, abuse of office, fraud and other financial offences before different courts.

The former governor has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The allegations remain subject to judicial determination.