A forensic investigator with the State Security Service, Segun Kayode, has told a Kaduna State High Court that former governor Nasir El-Rufai and some of his associates allegedly earmarked $600,000 to pay Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials and intermediaries.
Kayode, the prosecution’s first witness, made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying before Justice Darius Khobo at the court sitting in Kawo, Kaduna.
He alleged that $500,000 and $100,000 were set aside for the payments, claiming that forensic audio recordings captured conversations involving El-Rufai and some of his suspected associates about efforts to frustrate an EFCC investigation into a company identified as Singularity.
The investigator named Senior Advocate of Nigeria, AU Mustapha; Jimi Lawal; and Bashir El-Rufai among those allegedly mentioned in the recordings.
According to Kayode, the conversations included claims that Mustapha and Lawal were directed to meet one Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used to liquidate another company, with the intention of applying a similar process to Singularity.
He further alleged that the discussions involved plans to liquidate the company in Nigeria and Mauritius, where it was reportedly under investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
Kayode also told the court that the recordings contained discussions about preventing the EFCC from investigating IHS, which he said was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The allegations formed part of the prosecution’s evidence against the former governor. They have not been established by the court.
The hearing lasted nearly eight hours, from 12:26 pm to 8:18 pm, with about two hours spent playing the recorded conversations.
Earlier, El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), objected to Kayode’s testimony, arguing that the witness’s name and summary of evidence were not included in the prosecution’s proof of evidence.
Erokoro said the omission undermined his client’s right to a fair hearing, arguing that the defence needed adequate notice of the evidence it was expected to answer.
However, counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), argued that Kayode had been subpoenaed and that the omission did not automatically render his testimony inadmissible.
Adedipe told the court that the subpoena was issued and signed on June 30, 2026, adding that the defence would have the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.
Erokoro maintained that the central issue was whether the defence had been adequately informed to prepare for the testimony. He cited Section 210 of the applicable Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017, and argued that the prosecution should have served the subpoena on the defence.
In its ruling, the court acknowledged that Kayode’s name and summary of evidence were absent from the proof of evidence but held that the omission did not automatically make his testimony inadmissible, provided the defence was allowed to cross-examine him.
Justice Khobo consequently overruled the objection and directed the witness to continue.
After Kayode submitted a hard copy of his findings to the court clerk, the defence complained that it had not received the document early enough to study its contents.
The judge ruled that the defence could obtain a certified true copy of the document admitted as Exhibit One for examination.
The court adjourned the case until November 30 and December 1, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination, following agreement by both parties.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 11:50 am, ahead of the scheduled noon hearing, accompanied by the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru.
His appearance followed an order by Justice Khobo directing the ICPC to produce him in court for the resumed proceedings.
The previous sitting was adjourned after El-Rufai was absent, following information that he had requested access to his personal physician to review medical test results.
The hearing also came days after the Court of Appeal in Kaduna dismissed his appeal challenging the refusal of bail by the state high court. In its October 9 judgment, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision, ruling that El-Rufai had not established sufficient grounds to warrant interference.
The former governor has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, over allegations of financial misconduct linked to his administration of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly had petitioned the commission over the alleged diversion and mismanagement of more than N423bn in public funds during his eight-year tenure.
El-Rufai is facing multiple cases involving allegations of money laundering, abuse of office, fraud and other financial offences. He has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
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