Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Tuesday arrived at the Kaduna State High Court alongside African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Isa Ashiru for the continuation of his corruption trial.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 11:50am, ahead of the scheduled noon hearing, amid tight security around the complex.
His appearance followed an order by Justice Darius Khobo directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to produce him in court for the resumed proceedings.
The case was adjourned on Monday after El-Rufai failed to appear following information that he had requested access to his personal physician to review medical test results.
At Monday’s sitting, ICPC lead counsel Ayodeji Adedipe told the court that the prosecution had expected the former governor to attend, despite an earlier adjournment request by his lead defence counsel, Paul Erokoro.
Adedipe said he contacted the commission to establish why El-Rufai had not been brought to court and was informed that the former governor had requested to see his personal doctor.
The prosecution subsequently informed the court, prompting Justice Khobo to order the ICPC to produce the defendant for Tuesday’s hearing.
Court of Appeal Upholds Bail Refusal
The resumed proceedings came days after the Court of Appeal in Kaduna dismissed El-Rufai’s appeal challenging the state high court’s refusal to grant him bail.
In its judgment delivered on October 9, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision, ruling that the former governor had not established sufficient grounds to justify overturning the refusal of bail.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, over allegations of financial misconduct relating to his administration of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
He faces multiple cases involving allegations of money laundering, abuse of office, fraud and other financial offences before different courts.
The former governor has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
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