Court remands El-Rufai in ICPC custody

A Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, to March 31. The presiding judge, Rilwanu Aikawa, fixed the date after listening to arguments from both the defence and prosecution on Tuesday. El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other […]

A Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, to March 31.

The presiding judge, Rilwanu Aikawa, fixed the date after listening to arguments from both the defence and prosecution on Tuesday.

El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In the 10-count charge, the ICPC accused El-Rufai of unlawful receipt of about N289.8 million as severance allowance “over and above” his legitimately entitled sum of N20.01 million or 300% of his annual salary.

“That you, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (M), sometime between September 2017 and March 2023 or thereabout at Kaduna and Abuja respectively…while being a public officer as the elected executive governor of Kaduna State, directly took control of the total sum of $320,800 deposited into your Guaranty Trust Bank domiciliary account in different tranches,” the charge read in part.

The court ordered that he remains in ICPC custody pending the hearing of his bail application.

The charge against El-Rufai can be summarised as follows: Counts 1 & 2, alleged unlawful receipt of about N289.8 million as severance allowance above entitled benefits; Count 3, alleged receipt of $320,800 through multiple deposits into a domiciliary account; Counts 4 & 5, alleged receipt of $155,800 and $305,300 from separate individuals and Counts 6 –10, alleged receipt of smaller dollar deposits ($7,000, $5,000, $4,000 and $10,000).

All counts relate to alleged proceeds of unlawful acts, including corruption and fraud, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

 

Ex-gov arraigned amid security presence

The former governor arrived at the court premises around 9:00 a.m. in a white Hilux vehicle, accompanied by ICPC officials. He was briefly held within the premises before being escorted into the courtroom.

He was flanked by operatives of the ICPC and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

El-Rufai, dressed in a green babban riga and cap, appeared calm and exchanged pleasantries with his lawyers before proceedings commenced.

Security was significantly heightened across Kaduna metropolis ahead of the arraignment, with armed personnel of the police, the DSS and Kaduna State Vigilance Service deployed to strategic locations.

Major routes leading to the court, including Ali Akilu Road, witnessed heavy traffic as movement was restricted. Security checkpoints were mounted, while police vehicles were stationed near key government locations, forcing motorists to take alternative routes.

During the hearing, defence counsel, Ubong Akpan, urged the court to grant bail to enable his client to prepare his defence. However, prosecution counsel, Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, opposed the application, arguing that granting bail could interfere with ongoing investigations.

Following submissions, the court adjourned the matter to March 31 for the hearing of the bail application.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Akpan (SAN) said the charge largely related to deposits into his client’s domiciliary account and the monetisation of earnings, describing the session as uneventful.

 

El-Rufai’s supporters protest

There were protests by supporters and loyalists of the former governor during the proceedings.

The protesters, mostly youths and women, gathered along Ali Akilu Road after being prevented by security operatives from approaching the court.

Some were seen on a bridge, while others stood along the roadside holding placards with inscriptions such as “Kaduna Citizens are with Malaman El-Rufai” and “Free El-Rufai.”

Meanwhile, there was a mild drama on the court premises as one of El-Rufai’s wives, Asiya Ahmed El-Rufai, was denied entry through the main gate.

She arrived wearing a veil and appeared visibly upset when a DSS officer refused her access despite identifying herself.

“All these things happening today will come to pass,” she told the personnel.

She was later directed to use the back entrance. Similarly, the first wife, Khadija Ahmed El-Rufai, was also denied access through the front gate and asked to use the rear entrance. She complied calmly.

 

Journalists barred from courtroom

Journalists were also barred from covering the proceedings inside the courtroom. Several reporters and cameramen from different media organisations were denied entry, prompting protests.

A DSS official enforcing the restriction said the decision was based on “concession” and ordered that no journalist be allowed into the courtroom.

El-Rufai has been in custody since February 19 after he was handed over to the ICPC by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His counsel noted that out of the 10 counts, only one directly linked him with another individual, maintaining that the allegations centred mainly on financial transactions in his personal accounts.

The case was adjourned to March 31 for the hearing of the bail application.

Bello El-Rufai, son of the former governor, El-Rufai’s former commissioners and ADC chieftains, including Senator Babba Kaita from Katsina State, were present at the court in solidarity.