Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai appears in court for ICPC trial
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai appeared before the Kaduna State High Court on Monday for his ongoing trial initiated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC. Video footage showed El-Rufai in a crowded courthouse corridor. Before entering the courtroom, he was heard discussing the African Democratic Congress ADC national convention scheduled for Tuesday with an associate. El-Rufai is on trial with Amadu Sule for multiple counts, including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage. He also faces a separate 10-count charge at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, filed by the ICPC, for alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud totaling ₦579.6 million and $1.1 million. El-Rufai has asserted his innocence. Since returning from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12, 2026, he has been involved in court cases, including time in EFCC and ICPC custody. He was released from ICPC custody on compassionate grounds to bury his mother and has since returned. The Federal High Court in Kaduna set his bail hearing for April 14, the same day as the ADC convention. The ADC claims El-Rufai is facing political persecution, a claim dismissed by the ruling All Progressive Congress.
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Must ReadThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA of Nigeria and its Egyptian counterpart are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding MoU to enhance cooperation in fighting substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. This agreement aims to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations, and training between the two nations. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa retd., announced this during a visit from the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, at the agency's headquarters in Abuja. Marwa emphasized the global nature of the drug problem and the need for international collaboration, citing existing partnerships with various international law enforcement agencies. He noted that drug cartels are seeking alternative routes in Africa due to pressure elsewhere and highlighted NDLEA's success in dismantling drug manufacturing operations, including methamphetamine labs run by Mexican cartels in Nigeria. Ambassador Fouad underscored the importance of stronger bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Nigeria, as prominent African countries, to address narcotics trafficking from a continental perspective. The proposed MoU is expected to bolster intelligence gathering, capacity building, and coordinated enforcement actions to curb the illicit drug trade across Africa.
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The Nigerian Federal Government is prepared to collaborate with investors to address the nation's housing deficit, offering land nationwide for mass housing projects. This was announced by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Darma, during a meeting with a Chinese delegation. The delegation, led by Chief Engineer Lewis Chima, proposed a partnership to deliver large-scale affordable housing. Darma noted that this proposal aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes affordable housing through public-private partnerships. The minister affirmed the ministry's commitment to facilitating access to land and providing institutional support for successful project implementation. Chima stated that the company was drawn to Nigeria due to its significant housing demand and economic potential, aiming to complement the Renewed Hope Housing Programme by providing affordable, durable, and rapidly deployable housing solutions across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The company plans to use advanced prefabricated construction technology under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing model to deliver 10,000 housing units within 30 months, reducing costs and improving quality. Darma has directed a committee to review the proposal. Nigeria faces an estimated housing deficit of about 17 million units, which the Renewed Hope Housing Programme aims to tackle through various initiatives, including Renewed Hope Cities, Estate