El-Rufai corruption trial set for June 1, 2026, for pre-trial motions
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A Federal High Court in Kaduna has scheduled June 1, 2026, for the hearing of two pre-trial motions filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in a corruption case brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC. Justice Rilwanu Aikawa adjourned the matter after the former governor's counsel, Mustapha Abubakar SAN, indicated he was not ready to proceed immediately. El-Rufai faces allegations of financial misconduct, including the alleged release of billions of naira for unexecuted projects during his administration, which he denies. The court had previously, on April 14, granted El-Rufai bail for N200 million with two sureties. Bail conditions included one surety being a senior civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and the second a recognized elder in the state. The court also ordered the deposit of international passports and restricted El-Rufai from public comments on the case. On Thursday, Justice Aikawa denied a request to allow the first surety to provide a bank guarantee instead of a cash deposit but granted a variation allowing the second surety to be recognized by a district head instead of the Kaduna State Council of Elders. The defense also filed motions to strike out some documents attached to the charges. The anti-graft agency accuses El-Rufai of authorizing payments for projects allegedly not executed during his tenure.
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