BREAKING: El-Rufai appears in court as trial resumes after mother’s burial
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday appeared at the Kaduna State High Court for the continuation of his trial over alleged financial improprieties.
He arrived at the court premises under tight but orderly security, with officials closely monitoring activities as proceedings resumed in the high-profile case.
His appearance followed his recent temporary release by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after weeks in custody.
The anti-corruption agency had granted him bail on compassionate grounds to attend the funeral of his late mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who died in Cairo, Egypt, although the conditions attached to the bail were not disclosed.
The development drew reactions from his son, Bashir El-Rufai, who criticised the agency in a social media post. “My beloved great legend of a father (@elrufai) is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he wrote.
El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, is facing allegations of money laundering and financial misconduct, which his legal team has denied.
The case had earlier been adjourned to allow for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request, after he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.
Tuesday’s proceedings are expected to address procedural issues and possibly continue substantive hearings, while it remains unclear whether he will retain his temporary bail or return to ICPC custody pending further court decisions.
