Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai appeared before the Kaduna State High Court for the hearing of his bail application in connection with a nine-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai is facing an amended charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office. Proceedings were conducted under tight restrictions, with journalists denied access to the courtroom.
Sources indicated that the initial charge involved both El-Rufai and Amadu Sule, but the latter was dropped following an amendment by the prosecution. This was confirmed by defence counsel, Ubong Akpan, who addressed journalists after the session.
Akpan explained that the defence could not proceed with the hearing as the amended charges were only served on the legal team in court during proceedings, leaving insufficient time for review.
He noted that the legal team would study the new charges before outlining its position.
Presiding judge, Darius Khobo, subsequently adjourned the matter to April 14 for the hearing of the bail application.
Details of the amended charge allege that El-Rufai committed multiple infractions during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
Among the allegations is that he authorised the release of about N11 billion to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was not executed.
The anti-corruption agency also accused him of approving and receiving approximately N289.8 million as severance allowance, significantly above the statutory entitlement, thereby conferring undue advantage on himself.
In another count, he is alleged to have mismanaged over $1.08 million from a World Bank loan to the state, in breach of the loan agreement.
The ICPC further claimed that El-Rufai conspired with an associate, said to be at large, to offer inducements to federal investigators in a bid to influence an ongoing probe involving a private firm.
Additional charges include the alleged irregular award of a N4.6 billion CCTV contract in Kaduna metropolis, in violation of procurement laws, as well as granting undue advantage to an associate linked to the deal.
El-Rufai has denied all allegations. The case is expected to continue with the hearing of his bail application, after which he is also scheduled to face separate charges before the Federal High Court.
