Jun 15, 2026

Kaduna Court Adjourns El-Rufai Corruption Trial

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Kaduna, Kaduna State, June 15, 2026— A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has once again adjourned the corruption trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, until a later date in June 2026.

The case, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), involves allegations of abuse of office, fraud, and financial misconduct during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

The ICPC alleges that public funds were improperly released for projects that were either not executed or were irregularly managed.

Specific claims include the approval of over ₦11 billion for a light rail project that was never built, as well as allegations of excessive and irregular severance payments to political appointees.

El-Rufai, who was arraigned earlier this year, has consistently denied all the charges and pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have described the case as politically motivated.

At the resumed sitting on Monday, June 15, 2026, El-Rufai was present in court, accompanied by operatives from the ICPC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police.

The court, presided over by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, adjourned the matter due to the absence of two co-defendants charged alongside the former governor.

This marks another in a series of adjournments in the high-profile case. Previous proceedings have focused on bail applications and pre-trial motions.

In April 2026, the Federal High Court granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of ₦200 million with stringent conditions, including two sureties — one a serving or retired civil servant on Grade Level 15 or above, and the other a recognised traditional ruler.

However, a separate application for variation of the bail conditions and a related matter before a Kaduna State High Court saw the former governor remain in custody for a period, with the court citing concerns over his potential influence on the investigation.

The trial has attracted significant public attention, with supporters of the former governor viewing it as selective prosecution, while anti-corruption advocates argue it represents accountability for alleged misuse of public funds.

El-Rufai remains one of the most prominent political figures in northern Nigeria, and the case is being closely watched as a test of the judiciary’s handling of high-profile corruption matters.

The ICPC has maintained that it will continue to pursue the case diligently, while the defence has vowed to challenge the charges vigorously.

Further proceedings are expected when the court reconvenes later in June 2026.