Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday appeared before the Kaduna State High Court as proceedings resumed in his ongoing trial instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Video footage posted by ARISE News showed El-Rufai dressed in traditional agbada as he navigated a crowded courthouse corridor filled with supporters, legal representatives, and onlookers before entering the courtroom.
Moments before the proceedings began, the former governor was overheard discussing the upcoming national convention of the African Democratic Congress scheduled for Tuesday.
“So tomorrow is our convention, right?” El-Rufai asked an associate in the corridor.
“Insha Allah (God willing),” the associate responded.
The brief exchange underscored El-Rufai’s continued engagement in opposition politics despite his ongoing legal battle.
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.
Separately, El-Rufai is also facing a 10-count charge at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, filed by the ICPC, over allegations of abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud amounting to about ₦579.6 million and $1.1 million.
He has denied all the allegations and maintained his innocence.
Since returning from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12, 2026, the former governor has been battling legal proceedings in court. He was initially held in custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before being transferred to the ICPC.
El-Rufai was later granted temporary release on compassionate grounds by the ICPC to attend the burial of his mother before returning to custody.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Kaduna had earlier fixed April 14 for the hearing of his bail application—coinciding with the date of the ADC national convention.
The development comes amid claims by the African Democratic Congress that the former governor is being subjected to political persecution through the judicial process. However, the ruling All Progressives Congress has dismissed the allegation.
