Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has withdrawn three applications previously filed in his ongoing corruption case before the Kaduna State High Court.
The development emerged during proceedings on Wednesday before Justice Darius Khobo, as El-Rufai’s new lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), informed the court of the decision to discontinue the applications and replace them with a fresh filing.
Addressing the court, Erokoro explained that he recently assumed responsibility for the case and had reviewed the applications earlier submitted by the defence team. He said he was unable to proceed with some of the arguments and language contained in those documents.
The senior lawyer apologised to the court and described the applications as “combative in nature.”
According to him, after examining the filings, he considered it necessary to withdraw them and prepare a new application that would better reflect the position of the defence.
Erokoro also requested additional time to finalise and properly file the fresh application before the court.
The request was considered during the hearing, with the defence maintaining that the new filing was necessary following a review of the case strategy.
However, the move drew criticism from the prosecution.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the prosecution, Ibrahim Muktar, accused the defence of repeatedly filing applications that have slowed down the progress of the case.
He argued that the prosecution was prepared to proceed with the trial but had been unable to do so because of several legal applications brought before the court.
Muktar disclosed that following the last adjournment, the defence had filed two additional applications seeking the recusal of the trial judge.
He described the latest filing as “a delay method” and insisted that the prosecution remained ready to begin presenting its case.
According to him, “Charge has been filed, prosecution is ready, defense is bringing multiple application and that is what is destroying the time, frustrating the prosecution from commencing the trial, we would have gone far if not because of these applications.”
The prosecution maintained that the repeated applications have continued to delay substantive hearing in the matter.
After listening to both parties, Justice Khobo granted the defence’s request for more time to complete the new filing.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, when the fresh application is expected to be heard and further proceedings taken in the case.
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