Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared before two separate courts in Kaduna on Wednesday as legal proceedings continued in cases filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The former governor first appeared before the Federal High Court II, where he was arraigned alongside his former Special Adviser, Jimi Lawal, and five corporate entities over allegations involving financial misconduct.
The case, presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, centres on an amended 11-count charge brought by the anti-corruption agency.
During the arraignment, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to Count One of the charge. Lawal also entered not guilty pleas to Counts Six, Seven and Eight.
One of the corporate defendants, Singularity Network Security Limited, was arraigned on Counts Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, Ten and Eleven of the amended charge.
Following the arraignment, lawyers representing El-Rufai and Lawal urged the court to grant bail applications previously filed on behalf of their clients.
After hearing submissions from both the defence and prosecution teams, Justice Buhari adjourned ruling on the bail requests until July 1, 2026.
The case involves El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities named in the amended charge filed by the ICPC.
Shortly after the Federal High Court proceedings, the former governor proceeded to the Kaduna State High Court for a separate matter also instituted by the anti-graft agency.
The second case involves allegations of abuse of office and money laundering linked to his time in office as governor of Kaduna State.
Following brief proceedings, the Kaduna State High Court adjourned the matter until June 29, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
El-Rufai has consistently denied wrongdoing in the cases against him, while the ICPC maintains that it has sufficient evidence to support the charges.
The dual court appearances mark another significant stage in the legal battles involving the former governor, with attention now focused on the upcoming rulings and hearings scheduled by both courts.
