Co-defendants’ absence stalls El-Rufai trial

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Monday adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, after two co-defendants failed to appear before the court.

The case, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, centres on allegations of abuse of office, financial impropriety and fraud during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.

El-Rufai, who was present in court, arrived at about 9:30 a.m. accompanied by officials of the anti-graft agency, as well as operatives of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, but proceedings could not continue as scheduled following the absence of two other defendants standing trial alongside the former governor.

The presiding judge, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, subsequently adjourned the matter until June 24, 2026, for continuation of hearing, after Monday’s proceedings, which were expected to feature further arguments on pending motions, could not hold.

The charges against El-Rufai stem from ICPC investigations into the award and execution of contracts, as well as the management of public funds during his administration between 2015 and 2023, with the prosecution alleging that public funds were released for projects that were either not executed, abandoned, or handled in violation of due process requirements.

The prosecution further contends that some officials who served under the former governor were involved in transactions that allegedly resulted in financial losses to the Kaduna State Government, an allegation El-Rufai and the other defendants have denied, maintaining that all contracts and expenditures undertaken by the administration complied with extant laws and procurement procedures.

At previous sittings, the court had entertained arguments relating to bail conditions and preliminary applications filed by the defence team, and the matter is expected to resume on June 24, when the court will hear pending applications and continue with substantive proceedings.

The trial has continued to attract widespread public attention because of El-Rufai’s prominence in national politics and his influential role in Kaduna State’s governance for eight years.