Co-Defendants’ Absence Forces Adjournment in Former Kaduna Governor’s Trial

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the corruption trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, due to the absence of two co-defendants.

The former governor arrived at the court premises around 9:30 a.m. under the escort of officials from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alongside personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.

However, proceedings were halted because the two other individuals standing trial alongside him failed to appear in court. Consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, shifted the continuation of the hearing to June 24, 2026.

The legal battle stems from an ICPC investigation into contract awards, financial management, and procurement processes during El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023. The anti-graft agency alleges that public funds were released for government projects that were either abandoned, unexecuted, or handled in direct violation of statutory due process.

The prosecution also claims that specific officials within the administration participated in transactions that caused substantial financial losses to the Kaduna State Government.

El-Rufai and his co-defendants have consistently maintained their innocence, asserting that all expenditures and contracts approved during his eight-year tenure strictly complied with established procurement laws.

The high-profile case has drawn significant public interest across the country due to the former governor’s prominent stature in national politics. The court is expected to hear all pending motions and substantive applications when the trial resumes later this month.