The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Monday adjourned
the trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai to June 24,
2026, following the failure of two co-defendants to appear before the court.
El-Rufai, who is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of
abuse of office, financial impropriety, and fraud during his tenure as
governor, was present in court when the matter was called.
The former governor arrived at the court premises at about
9:30 a.m., accompanied by officials of the ICPC, as well as operatives of the
Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force.
However, proceedings could not continue as scheduled after
two other defendants named in the charge failed to appear before the court.
Following submissions by counsel, the presiding judge
adjourned the matter to June 24, 2026, for the continuation of the hearing.
El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations levelled
against him, insisting that all actions taken during his administration were
carried out in accordance with the law and established procedures.
The ICPC, on its part, alleges that public funds were
released for projects that were either not executed or were improperly handled
during the former governor’s administration.
The anti-corruption agency maintains that the charges
against the defendants are supported by evidence gathered during its
investigations and has expressed readiness to prosecute the case to its logical
conclusion.
At previous sittings, the court had entertained arguments
relating to bail conditions and preliminary applications filed by the defence
team.
Monday’s proceedings were expected to feature further
arguments on pending motions before the unexpected absence of the two
co-defendants stalled the hearing.
The trial has continued to attract considerable public
attention, given El-Rufai’s prominence in national politics and his eight-year
tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
With the matter now adjourned, both the prosecution and
defence teams are expected to return to court on June 24 for the continuation
of proceedings.
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