El-Rufai dey face court wahala as ICPC charge am for fraud, bail palava dey for two courts

Wahala dey for former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, as two different courts dey handle him case. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) don finally bring am before Honourable Justice Darius Khobo of Kaduna State High Court 5. The thing happen on Monday, and na nine-count charge dem charge am. The charges dey border on advance fee fraud and money laundering.

Originally, the case na joint charge with one Amadu Sule. But the prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, come amend the charge. Why? Because Amadu Sule no show for court. Dem say the man dey sick. So the court allow the ICPC to prosecute El-Rufai alone. The charges wey dem read cover plenty laws: Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006, Kaduna State Penal Code, and even Kaduna State Public Procurement Law.

When dem read the charges, El-Rufai plead not guilty to all nine. Him lawyer talk say dem get pending application and beg for bail with soft condition. But the prosecution lawyer urge the court to fix trial date and make sure El-Rufai dey attend all proceedings. After hearing both sides, Justice Darius Khobo adjourn the case. Him say him go rule on the bail application on Tuesday, 14th of April, 2026. For now, El-Rufai go remain for ICPC custody.

But wait, another court matter dey ground. For Federal High Court wey dey Kaduna, Justice Rilwan Aikawa don grant El-Rufai bail. This one happen on Tuesday. The bail amount na N200 million. This case na different one, but still concern financial misconduct. ICPC dey handle am too. Dem talk say the case involve how El-Rufai handle him domiciliary account and other earnings.

Confusion dey because for Kaduna State High Court, Justice Darius Khobo still dey wait to rule on bail. Him adjourn that one to April 21, 2026. So El-Rufai get two court cases wey dey run at the same time. For the state high court, dem bring am on Monday, April 13, 2026. ICPC operatives and even Department of State Services (DSS) personnel escort am come court.

The charges for state high court serious wella. One key allegation na say El-Rufai authorize the release of about ₦11 billion from Kaduna State money. The money na for one unregistered entity wey suppose do light rail project. But the project never see light of day. Another talk na about World Bank loan wey Kaduna State collect. Dem say El-Rufai violate the terms of the loan.

For the court session on Monday, El-Rufai lawyer, Barrister Ubong Akpan, complain say dem serve them the amended charges late. Dem only get am for court. Because of this, Justice Darius Khobo adjourn to give the defence time to check the new documents.

This whole case don dey long. ICPC first arraign El-Rufai and one Joel Adoga on March 24 before Federal High Court. That time na 10-count charge for money laundering and fraud. Both of them plead not guilty. El-Rufai don dey for ICPC custody since February 19. Before that, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) release am. But ICPC pick am again. For March 27, dem release am on compassionate ground to attend him mama burial.

Now, the two court cases dey move at different speed. One judge don grant bail, another dey wait to rule. The charges heavy, and El-Rufai don deny everything. People dey watch how the case go end. ICPC dey push hard, but the legal process dey show say na long journey. For now, El-Rufai dey between custody and court appearances as the two cases dey unfold.