By Abigail David
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, after two of his co-defendants failed to appear in court.
The case, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), involves allegations of abuse of office, fraud and financial impropriety linked to El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023.
El-Rufai was present at Monday’s proceedings, arriving at the court alongside officials of the anti-graft agency and security personnel from the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force.
However, the hearing could not proceed as scheduled due to the absence of two other defendants in the matter.
Presiding judge, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, subsequently adjourned the case until June 24, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.
The ICPC alleges that public funds were approved and disbursed for projects that were either not executed, abandoned or handled in violation of due process during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.
The prosecution also claims that some former government officials were involved in transactions that allegedly resulted in financial losses to the Kaduna State Government.
El-Rufai and the other defendants have denied the allegations, maintaining that all contracts and expenditures under the administration complied with existing laws and procurement regulations.
The case has drawn significant public interest due to the former governor’s prominence in national politics and his eight-year administration of Kaduna State.
SEO Keywords:
