El-Rufai arrives Kaduna court for corruption trial alongside ADC governorship candidate

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Tuesday arrived at the Kaduna State High Court for the continuation of his corruption trial, accompanied by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the state, Isa Ashiru.

According to report, El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 11:50 a.m., ahead of the hearing scheduled for noon on October 13, 2026, amid tight security around the court complex.

His appearance followed an order by Justice Darius Khobo directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which has him in custody, to produce him in court for the resumed proceedings.

The directive was issued on Monday, October 12, after the court adjourned the case until Tuesday. The adjournment followed discussions between the prosecution and defence over the availability of defence counsel Paul Erokoro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who was scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony for newly conferred senior advocates at the Supreme Court.

Reports on Monday’s proceedings also said the prosecution informed the court that El-Rufai had requested to see his personal physician to review medical test results, which was given as the reason for his absence. The court subsequently directed that he be produced at the next hearing.

The presence of Ashiru, the ADC’s governorship candidate in Kaduna State, alongside the former governor drew attention at the court as the proceedings resumed.

El-Rufai is facing corruption-related charges brought by the ICPC over alleged offences connected to his time in office. The allegations remain before the court and have not been established as facts by a conviction.

The proceedings are part of the anti-corruption commission’s wider cases against the former governor. In a separate case before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, the ICPC has brought an amended 11-count charge against El-Rufai and other defendants over an alleged ₦8.68 billion closed-circuit television (CCTV) contract.

The outcome of Tuesday’s proceedings and any further directions from the court are expected to determine the next stage of the trial.