Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has arrived at the Federal High Court in Kaduna for the continuation of his trial over alleged financial misconduct, as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) proceeds with its case.
The embattled former governor arrived at the court premises around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday under heavy security escort, accompanied by officials of the ICPC, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Charges
The case, filed under suit number FHC/KD/73/2026, centers on allegations of abuse of office, financial impropriety, and fraud during El-Rufai's tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023. The ICPC alleges that public funds were improperly released for projects that were either not executed, abandoned, or handled in violation of due process requirements.
The charges include counts ranging from conversion and possession of public property to money laundering, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage. El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations and maintains his innocence.
Bail Conditions
On April 14, 2026, the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, granted the former governor bail in the sum of N200 million. The bail came with strict conditions, including:
· Two sureties, one being a serving or retired civil servant at Grade Level 15
· The other surety must be a recognised traditional ruler
El-Rufai's legal team later applied to the court for a variation of the bail conditions, arguing that some requirements were difficult to fulfil. However, the court declined the application and retained the original conditions.
Wednesday's Proceedings
The case was previously adjourned to June 24, 2026, after two co-defendants failed to appear in court on the last sitting date. At Wednesday's proceedings, the two co-defendants are expected to be present for the continuation of the hearing on the substantive matter.
Security was visibly heightened around the court complex, with journalists barred from entering the courtroom to cover the proceedings—a practice that has become standard in this case.
Ongoing Legal Battles
El-Rufai faces multiple legal challenges beyond the ICPC case. He also faces trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of wiretapping the telephone of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. That case has been adjourned until September 22, 2026, for filing of a no-case submission by the defence after the prosecution closed its case.
The former governor has spent at least 126 days in custody since February 16, 2026, when he was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequently transferred to ICPC custody. He was briefly released for two days to bury his mother.
The trial continues to attract widespread public attention because of El-Rufai's prominence in national politics and his influential role in Kaduna State's governance for eight years.
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