By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Journalists were again denied access to the courtroom of the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday as proceedings continued in the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. According to court observers, security operatives restricted members of the media from entering the courtroom during the hearing.
No official explanation for the restriction had been provided as of the time of filing this report.El-Rufai arrived at the court premises under security escort for the continuation of proceedings in a case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The anti-corruption agency has accused the former governor of financial misconduct and related offences allegedly committed while in office. El-Rufai has denied the allegations, and the matter remains before the court.
Wednesday’s hearing followed an earlier adjournment after two co-defendants were absent from a previous sitting. The court had scheduled the matter for continuation on June 24, 2026.
At an earlier hearing on April 14, 2026, presiding judge Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of ₦200 million with two sureties. The court subsequently declined an application by the defence seeking a variation of the bail conditions.The case has been adjourned for further proceedings as the court continues to hear arguments and evidence from the parties involved.As the matter remains before the court, all allegations against the defendants are yet to be determined by the court.
