The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday adjourned until July 1, 2026, for ruling on bail applications filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, in an alleged corruption case brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai, who appeared before two separate courts in Kaduna on the same day, is facing charges bordering on alleged abuse of office, financial impropriety and money laundering.
At the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, the former governor, Lawal, a former special adviser in his administration, and several corporate entities were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge.
El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to Count One, while Lawal denied Counts Six, Seven and Eight. One of the corporate entities, Singularity Network Security Limited, also pleaded not guilty to multiple counts, including Counts Two to Five and Nine to Eleven.
In all, El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities are standing trial in the matter.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for the defendants informed the court of pending bail applications.
After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence, Justice Buhari adjourned the case until July 1 for ruling.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises around 9:30 a.m. under heavy security as proceedings resumed in the high-profile trial.
In a related development, the former governor also appeared before the Kaduna State High Court in another case filed by the ICPC.
The matter, before Justice Darius Khobo, borders on allegations of abuse of office and money laundering allegedly committed during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.
Justice Khobo adjourned the case until June 29, 2026, for further hearing.
The Federal High Court case had earlier been adjourned following the absence of two co-defendants at the previous sitting.
El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations, insisting that his actions while in office were lawful and in the public interest.
The ICPC, however, alleges that investigations uncovered irregularities in the handling of public funds and the award of contracts, resulting in alleged diversion and misapplication of state resources.
On April 14, 2026, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of ₦200 million, with two sureties — one a serving or retired civil servant on Grade Level 15 and the other a recognised traditional ruler.
The former governor later sought a variation of the bail conditions, but the application was rejected by the court.
The ICPC had arraigned El-Rufai alongside two former senior Kaduna State officials on multiple counts of conspiracy, abuse of office and unlawful financial dealings, to which all defendants pleaded not guilty.
The trial continues to attract significant public attention given El-Rufai’s prominence and his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
