Co-defendants' Absence Halts El-Rufai's Fraud Trial

The trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, stalled on Monday as two co-defendants failed to appear in court. The Federal High Court in Kaduna adjourned the proceedings to June 24, 2026, for the continuation of the hearing.

The case, brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), centers on allegations of abuse of office, financial impropriety, and fraud during El-Rufai's governorship from 2015 to 2023. Prosecutors claim public funds were released for projects that were either not executed or were handled irregularly.

El-Rufai, who has consistently denied the allegations, maintains that his administration acted lawfully. The ICPC's charges stem from investigations into contract awards, project execution, and the management of public funds. The prosecution alleges that some officials under El-Rufai were involved in transactions that led to financial losses for the state government.

The trial has garnered significant public attention due to El-Rufai's prominent role in Nigerian politics and his eight-year influence over Kaduna State's governance. The court had previously heard arguments on bail conditions and preliminary applications. The next hearing is expected to address pending motions before substantive proceedings resume.