Kaduna Court Adjourns El-Rufai Bail to June 2026

A Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday adjourned the bail hearing for former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the first week of June 2026, extending his legal proceedings in a corruption case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. Justice Darius Khobo made the ruling during a session in Kaduna, where El-Rufai faces multiple charges of financial misconduct and abuse of office from his time in office.

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, arrived at the court around 9 a.m. in a convoy escorted by operatives from the ICPC and the Department of State Services. Security was tight, with restrictions on movement around the premises and supporters gathered outside. Journalists had faced barriers to courtroom access in prior sittings, though proceedings on Tuesday proceeded amid heightened public interest.

The case stems from an amended nine-count charge arraigned last week, which dropped a previous co-defendant and left El-Rufai as the sole accused. Prosecutors allege he authorized the release of about 11 billion naira to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never built. Additional counts include approving and...