El-Rufai Returns to Court as Bail Hearing Resumes Amid Fraud Charges

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, on Tuesday arrived at the Kaduna State High Court ahead of proceedings in his ongoing legal battle over alleged fraud and money laundering.

Sources indicated that the former governor is also expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Kaduna later in the day for the continuation of his bail application hearing.

El-Rufai’s court appearance comes days after he was temporarily released from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on compassionate grounds to attend the burial of his mother.

The ICPC had reportedly granted the release on March 27, following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma, in Egypt where she had been receiving medical treatment.

The burial rites drew a high-profile gathering of political and business leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; President of the 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.

El-Rufai was arraigned on March 24 on charges bordering on fraud and money laundering. At the time, the court adjourned the hearing of his bail application to March 31.

Prior to his arraignment, the former governor had been in ICPC custody since February 19, shortly after his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Amid growing public interest in the case, the ICPC had on March 18 disclosed that it obtained a valid court order to extend his detention, citing the need for further investigation.