08/05/2026
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has fixed June 1, 2026, for the hearing of two pre-trial motions filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the corruption case instituted against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The case was adjourned after El-Rufai’s counsel informed the court that the defence was not prepared to move the applications immediately. Justice Rilwanu Aikawa subsequently fixed a new date for the hearing of the motions.
The former governor is facing allegations of financial misconduct, including claims that billions of naira belonging to Kaduna State were released for projects allegedly left unexecuted during his administration. The ICPC also accused him of receiving suspicious funds and approving questionable payments while in office.
El-Rufai has denied all allegations, insisting that the charges against him are politically motivated. Earlier, the court granted him bail in the sum of N200 million with strict conditions, including the provision of two sureties and restrictions on public comments regarding the case.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the court declined one of the defence requests seeking to replace a cash-backed surety with a bank guarantee but approved another application allowing one of the sureties to be recognised by a district head instead of the Kaduna State Council of Elders.
The corruption trial has continued to attract national attention due to El-Rufai’s influence in Nigerian politics and his recent political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
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