Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Monday appeared before the Kaduna State High Court as his ongoing trial resumed in a case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The former governor is being prosecuted over a series of allegations linked to his time in office, marking a significant development in the commission’s anti-corruption efforts.
El-Rufai is facing trial alongside co-defendant Amadu Sule on charges that include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and the alleged conferring of undue advantage.
The prosecution maintains that the defendants engaged in actions that contravened public service regulations and financial accountability laws, though full details of the evidence are expected to unfold as proceedings continue.
Moments before entering the courtroom, El-Rufai was reportedly overheard discussing internal party matters, specifically the upcoming convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a brief exchange with an associate, he asked, “So tomorrow is our convention, right?” to which the associate responded, “God willing,” indicating that the former governor remains actively engaged in political activities despite the legal challenges he currently faces.
In a related development, the former governor is also confronting a separate legal challenge at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
In that case, he is facing a ten-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud involving sums totalling N579.6 million and $1.1 million. The charges, also filed by the ICPC, are part of a wider investigation into financial dealings during his tenure as governor.
A bail hearing in the ongoing case at the Kaduna State High Court has been scheduled for April 14, where the court will determine the conditions, if any, under which the defendants may be granted temporary release pending the conclusion of the trial.
