Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Alleged Corruption Trial to June 28
Proceedings in the alleged corruption case involving former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, were on Monday adjourned by a Federal High Court in Kaduna until June 28, following the absence of two co-defendants.
The case, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), centres on allegations of abuse of office, fraud, and financial misconduct during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.
El-Rufai has consistently denied the allegations.
At Monday’s proceedings, the former governor arrived at the court around 9:30 a.m., accompanied by officials of the ICPC, operatives of the Department of State Services, and police personnel.
Previous hearings had focused largely on his bail application and other preliminary legal issues. Prosecutors allege that public funds were released for projects that were either not executed or improperly managed.
On April 14, 2026, the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of ₦200 million. The 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.
Although El-Rufai’s legal team later sought a variation of the bail conditions before the Federal High Court, a Kaduna State High Court presided over by Justice Darius Khobo refused him bail, citing concerns that his influence could interfere with investigations into the corruption allegations.
The court had been expected to hear additional motions and arguments from both the prosecution and defence on Monday, but proceedings were adjourned because two co-defendants failed to appear.
