Proceedings in the ongoing corruption trial of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, resumed on Monday at the Federal High Court sitting in the state capital.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at approximately 9:30 a.m., escorted by a security detail including officials from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.
The case, initiated by the ICPC, centers on serious allegations of abuse of office, fraud, and financial misconduct during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
Prosecutors allege that significant public funds were improperly released for projects that were either never executed or were managed in blatant violation of due process.
Throughout these proceedings, El-Rufai has consistently denied all charges, maintaining his innocence and asserting that his actions were lawful.
Monday’s session was slated to focus on hearing motions and legal arguments from both the prosecution and defence teams as the high-profile case progresses into its next phase.
The judicial history of the matter remains complex; on April 14, 2026, the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, granted the former governor bail in the sum of ₦200 million.
This order included specific conditions, such as providing two sureties—one being a serving or retired civil servant of at least Grade Level 15, and the other a recognised traditional ruler.
This development at the Federal High Court stands in stark contrast to previous experiences in the Kaduna State High Court, where Justice Darius Khobo had repeatedly denied bail.
In those earlier instances, the court cited concerns that the former governor’s significant influence could interfere with the integrity of the ongoing investigations.
As the current trial moves forward, both legal teams continue to contest the motions that will ultimately shape the direction of the case.
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