Court adjourns El-Rufai’s N11bn misappropriation trial to November 30

The Kaduna State High Court has adjourned the trial of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged corruption and fund misappropriation to November 30 and December 1, 2026.

The adjournment will allow the defence counsel to cross-examine a digital forensic expert subpoenaed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Justice Darius Khobo, while presiding over the case on Tuesday, overruled the objection raised by the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), who had argued that the witness was not originally listed in the prosecution’s proof of evidence. The judge held that the rights of the accused to a fair hearing remain protected since the defence is permitted to cross-examine the witness.

The DSS forensic expert, Shegun Kayode, testified that the service conducted an electronic examination of communication records involving the former governor and his associates. He stated that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had officially requested the forensic analysis of a leaked audio conversation.

According to the witness, the audio recordings captured a two-way conversation between El-Rufai and his brother between October 25 and 28, 2025. Kayode informed the court that voice biometric analysis confirmed the authenticity of the audio, which allegedly detailed a plot to liquidate a company, and to halt an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The recording allegedly contained a conversation about plans to liquidate a company, halt an ongoing EFCC case involving the company and prevent an investigation into another company, IHS. The conversation referred to $500,000 and $100,000 purportedly set aside to settle EFCC officials and an intermediary,” the witness testified.

The ICPC is prosecuting the former governor on a nine-count charge on the alleged mismanagement of an N11 billion light rail project fund and the unlawful approval of N289.8 million as severance allowance.

The charges also include the alleged mismanagement of a $1.08 million World Bank loan and the unlawful award of a N4.6 billion CCTV contract in the Kaduna metropolis. El-Rufai has, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him.