A Federal High Court in Kaduna State has ordered the interim forfeiture of ₦1.37 billion, which is alleged to have been misappropriated from the state government’s funds and transferred into a private account during the tenure of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The money, allegedly diverted to an account belonging to Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited, was part of the funds allocated for a failed light rail project in the state under the previous administration.
Justice H. Buhari, the presiding judge, issued the forfeiture order on February 28, 2025, after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed an ex parte application, tracing the diverted funds to a private bank account.
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The judge further directed ICPC to publish a notice in two national newspapers, inviting anyone with an interest in the funds—whether individual, corporate, or otherwise—to appear in court and explain why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
On February 14, 2025, the ICPC had filed the application, arguing that the light rail project, for which the funds were allocated, was never completed under the El-Rufai administration, denying the people of Kaduna State the benefits of the intended transportation system.
In the application submitted by ICPC’s lawyer, E.O. Akponimisingha, the commission alleged that state government officials diverted the funds through Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig Limited, a joint venture established in 2016 between the state government and Indian business partners.
Ruling on the application, the judge ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds and instructed the ICPC to publish a notice in two national newspapers, asking anyone with a claim to the money to present their case and show cause in court why the asset should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
The case is scheduled for a hearing on April 8, 2025, for interested parties to present their claims.
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