The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Wednesday adjourned until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the bail applications filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, in an alleged corruption case brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai, who appeared before two separate courts in Kaduna on the same day, is facing charges bordering on alleged abuse of office, financial impropriety, and money laundering.
At the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, the former governor, Lawal, who served as Special Adviser during the El-Rufai administration, and several corporate entities were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge.
While El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to Count One, Lawal pleaded not guilty to Counts Six, Seven, and Eight. A corporate entity, Singularity Network Security Limited, also pleaded not guilty to Counts Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, Ten, and Eleven.
In all, El-Rufai, Lawal, and five corporate entities are standing trial in the matter.
During the proceedings, counsel to the defendants urged the court to grant their clients bail pending trial, while the prosecution opposed the applications.
After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1 for ruling on the bail applications.
Earlier, El-Rufai arrived at the Federal High Court premises at about 9:30 a.m. amid tight security as proceedings resumed in the high-profile trial.
Meanwhile, the former governor also appeared before the Kaduna State High Court presided over by Justice Darius Khobo in a separate case instituted by the ICPC.
The case before the state high court relates to allegations of abuse of office and money laundering allegedly committed during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.
Justice Khobo subsequently adjourned the matter until June 29, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The Federal High Court case had earlier been adjourned to June 24 following the absence of two co-defendants at the previous sitting.
El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations against him, maintaining that decisions taken during his administration were lawful and aimed at advancing public interest.
The ICPC, however, alleged that its investigations uncovered irregularities in the management of government funds and contract awards, leading to the diversion and misapplication of public resources.
The anti-corruption agency had earlier arraigned El-Rufai alongside former senior Kaduna State Government officials on charges bordering on alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and unlawful financial dealings.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial has continued to attract significant public interest due to El-Rufai’s prominence in national politics and his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
