Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, arrived at the State High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday ahead of proceedings in his ongoing trial.
Sources said he is expected to proceed to the Federal High Court later in the day for the hearing of his bail application.
His appearance comes days after he was granted temporary release by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to attend his mother’s burial.
The court had on March 24 adjourned the hearing on his bail application to March 31 after he was arraigned on charges bordering on fraud and money laundering.
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Officials of the ICPC had earlier confirmed that el-Rufai was released on March 27 on compassionate grounds.
His mother, Hajiya Umma, died in Egypt on Friday while receiving medical treatment and was buried on Sunday.
The funeral was attended by several prominent figures, including National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Chairman of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami.
Background
Before his arraignment, El-Rufai had been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his transfer from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On March 18, the ICPC said it obtained a court order to extend his detention amid calls for his release.
He was previously arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna alongside co-defendant Joel Adoga on a 10-count charge and has pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment on March 24, 2026
The court adjourned ruling on his bail application to March 31, when proceedings are expected to continue.
The ICPC alleges that Nasir El-Rufai received over ₦579 million in severance payments, which is about 300% above his legal entitlement, and also obtained about $817,900 in alleged illicit deposits into a Guaranty Trust Bank domiciliary account between 2016 and 2023.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
