A former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday appeared before two separate courts in Kaduna over charges bordering on alleged financial misconduct, abuse of office and money laundering filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). At the Federal High Court II, presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, El-Rufai, alongside his former Special Adviser, Jimi Lawal, and five corporate entities, was arraigned on an amended 11-count charge. During the arraignment, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to Count One of the charge, while Lawal pleaded not guilty to Counts Six, Seven and Eight.
A corporate entity, Singularity Network Security Limited, was also arraigned on Counts Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, Ten and Eleven of the amended charge. Counsel to El-Rufai and Lawal informed the court that bail applications had been filed on behalf of their clients and urged the court to grant the requests. After hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution, Justice Buhari adjourned ruling on the bail applications until July 1, 2026. The case involves El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities named as defendants in the amended charge.
Shortly after the proceedings at the Federal High Court, the former governor appeared before the Kaduna State High Court for the continuation of the hearing in a separate case instituted by the ICPC. The case before the state high court borders on alleged abuse of office and money laundering. Following brief proceedings, the court adjourned the matter until June 29, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.