Court adjourns El-Rufai’s bail ruling as charges amended

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Kaduna

The Kaduna State High Court on Monday adjourned till Tuesday, April 14, for ruling on the bail application of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, following an amendment of charges by the prosecution.

At the resumed proceedings, the amended charges were read and the defendant’s plea taken. The prosecution also dropped one of the earlier listed co-defendants, leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant in the case.

Counsel to the defendant, Ubong Akpan, told journalists after the session that the day’s proceedings were largely focused on the fresh charges, which the defence would need time to study before the commencement of a substantive hearing.

According to him, the bail application was duly moved and argued, while the court fixed Tuesday for ruling.

“The motion for bail was taken. The court took the plea of the defendant, and the prosecution amended the charge and removed one person, leaving only Mallam El-Rufai to face prosecution,” he said.

Akpan added that the defence team would carefully review the amended charges, noting that they were new and required proper examination.

Meanwhile, there was heavy security presence within and around the court premises, as operatives were strategically deployed to maintain order during the proceedings.

El-Rufai, who appeared calm, was seen exchanging remarks with an associate before entering the courtroom, during which he made reference to the forthcoming convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), indicating his continued engagement in political activities.

The former governor is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations bordering on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

He is also facing a separate 10-count charge before a Federal High Court in Kaduna, involving alleged abuse of office, money laundering and fraud said to involve N579.6 million and $1.1 million.

The matter has been adjourned to Tuesday for ruling on the bail application.