Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, appeared before the Kaduna State High Court yesterday under heavy security, as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) slammed an amended nine-count charge against him over alleged fraud, abuse of office, and corruption.
Security was visibly heightened around the court premises, with operatives deployed at strategic points as el-Rufa’i, dressed in traditional attire, made his way through a crowded corridor of supporters, lawyers, and observers.
During the proceedings, counsel to the former governor, Ukpong Abang, revealed that the prosecution had amended the charges, dropping a co-defendant and leaving el-Rufa’i as the sole defendant. He noted that the defence team only received the new charges in court, making it impossible to proceed with immediate hearing.
“The charges are entirely new to us… we will study them and respond appropriately”, Abang said.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to today Tuesday, for ruling on el-Rufa’i’s bail application.
According to the ICPC, the charges – marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/2026 – stem from alleged actions during el-Rufa’i’s tenure as governor. The anti-graft agency accused him of inducing the Kaduna State Government to confer an ₦11 billion benefit on a firm for a light-rail project allegedly not executed.
Other counts include approving and receiving inflated severance benefits far above legal limits, allegedly mismanaging over $1 million linked to a World Bank loan, attempting to influence federal investigators, and violating procurement laws in multi-billion-naira contracts, including a CCTV project. The charges also touch on alleged unlawful land allocations and conferring undue advantage on associates.
El-Rufa’i had earlier been arraigned before Justice Darius Khobo alongside businessman, Amadu Sule on similar allegations, though the amended charge now excludes Sule.
Meanwhile, separate from the state court, el-Rufa’i is also facing a 10-count charge before the Federal High Court in Kaduna involving alleged money-laundering, fraud, and abuse of office tied to ₦579.6 million and $1.1 million. His bail application in that case is also scheduled for hearing today Tuesday.
In a brief moment before entering the courtroom, el-Rufa’i was overheard discussing the upcoming national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), indicating his continued engagement in opposition politics despite his legal challenges.
The ADC has since described the trial as politically-motivated, alleging a witch-hunt against opposition figures by the Federal Government.
