Legal proceedings involving former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, took multiple twists yesterday, as courts in Kaduna and Abuja handled separate but related matters concerning the embattled politician.
At the Federal High Court in Kaduna, el-Rufa’i’s much-anticipated bail hearing in an alleged corruption case was adjourned to today Wednesday. The session, conducted under tight security, underscored the heightened public attention surrounding the case.
Counsel to the former governor, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the adjournment, noting that the legal team needed time to file necessary responses. “The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow (today)”, he said briefly.
El-Rufa’i, who is facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering, has spent over a month in detention. After the court session, he was escorted out by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). His temporary release on March 27, granted on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, had already drawn national reactions.
Earlier in the day, he was also arraigned before the Kaduna State High Court in Kawo on separate charges of abuse of office, fraud and conferring undue advantage alongside one Amadu Sule, before being transferred back to the Federal High Court for continuation of his bail proceedings.
Meanwhile, in a related development at the Federal High Court in Abuja, el-Rufai recorded a partial shift in his ₦1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit. The case, which challenges the legality of a February 19 search of his Abuja residence, saw him withdraw the magistrate listed as the second defendant.
His lawyer, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, informed the court that a Motion had been filed to discontinue the case against the magistrate, following concerns raised by the presiding judge, Joyce AbdulMalik, over improper identification. The court subsequently struck out the magistrate’s name along with a pending ex-parte application seeking substituted service. However, counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), opposed further adjournment, arguing that the removal of the magistrate rendered the suit incompetent since the claims were tied to a search warrant issued by the court.
Justice AbdulMalik disagreed, cautioning against premature conclusions and directing parties to proceed with proper filings. The matter was adjourned until June 17 to allow amendments to the originating processes.
In the suit, el-Rufa’i is seeking ₦1bn in damages against the ICPC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and initially, the magistrate. He alleges that the search of his Asokoro residence violated his constitutional rights, including dignity, personal liberty and privacy, and is asking the court to declare any evidence obtained inadmissible.
However, both the ICPC and the Police have defended the operation, insisting it was carried out lawfully based on a valid warrant and in the presence of family members. They urged the court to dismiss the suit, accusing the former governor of attempting to obstruct ongoing investigations.
Despite the mounting legal battles, el-Rufa’i has denied all allegations, with his legal team maintaining that he is directly linked to only one of the charges.
