Alleged Corruption: Court Resumes Hearing In El-Rufai Case

Proceedings in the ongoing corruption trial of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai continued on Monday at the Federal High Court sitting in the state capital.

El-Rufai was brought to the court at about 9:30 a.m., accompanied by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force.

The case, brought by the ICPC, involves allegations of abuse of office, fraud, and financial misconduct during his tenure as governor.

Prosecutors allege that funds were improperly released for projects that were either not executed or were irregularly managed.

El-Rufai has denied all the charges and maintains his innocence.

At yesterday’s sitting, the court is expected to continue hearing motions and arguments from both the prosecution and defence as the case progresses.

On April 14, 2026, the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, granted the former governor bail in the sum of ₦200 million, with conditions including two sureties — one being a serving or retired civil servant in Grade Level 15, and the other a recognised traditional ruler.

While El-Rufai’s lawyers applied to the court for the variation of the bail conditions, a Kaduna State High Court presided over by Justice Darius Khobo repeatedly denied him bail, citing concerns that his influence could interfere with investigations into serious corruption allegations brought by the ICPC.