Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared before the Kaduna State High Court on Monday as proceedings in his trial continued, following charges brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Moments before stepping into the courtroom, El-Rufai was overheard speaking with an associate about the forthcoming national convention of the African Democratic Congress, scheduled for Tuesday.
“So tomorrow is our convention, right?” El-Rufai asked.
“Insha Allah (God willing),” the associate replied.
The former governor is standing trial alongside Amadu Sule on multiple counts, including alleged abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
In a separate matter at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, also instituted by the ICPC—El-Rufai is facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud involving ₦579.6 million and $1.1 million.
He has repeatedly denied all the allegations against him.
Since his return from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12, 2026, El-Rufai has been caught up in a series of legal battles. He was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before being handed over to the ICPC.
He was later granted temporary release on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial but subsequently returned to custody.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna had earlier fixed his bail hearing for April 14, the same day as the ADC convention.
Meanwhile, the ADC has described the prosecution as politically driven, an allegation dismissed by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
