FORMER Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday returned to court in Kaduna just days after the burial of his late mother, as legal proceedings in his high-profile corruption trial intensified, drawing heightened public and political attention.
News Point Nigeria reports that at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, the hearing of his bail application was adjourned till Wednesday by Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa following proceedings conducted under heavy security.
The adjournment, which came amid tight security within and around the court premises, underscores the growing national interest in the case involving the former governor.
Counsel to El-Rufai, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the development shortly after the session but declined to provide further details, citing ongoing legal work.
“I’m sorry, I can’t talk now. We are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he said.
Shortly after the court session, El-Rufai was escorted out of the premises by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a white Hilux vehicle.
The security presence mirrored the situation during his earlier arraignment, reflecting concerns over public reactions and the sensitive nature of the case.
El-Rufai is currently standing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and unlawful possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
He had spent over a month in ICPC custody before being released on March 27, 2026, on compassionate grounds to attend the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who died in Cairo, Egypt.
In a related development, the former governor was earlier on Tuesday arraigned before the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on a separate set of charges.
At the state court, El-Rufai was docked alongside one Amadu Sule over allegations including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
The charges stem from investigations into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.
Following proceedings at the State High Court, the anti-graft agency moved him to the Federal High Court within the same judicial complex for the continuation of proceedings on his bail application.
During earlier proceedings, El-Rufai’s legal team, led by Barrister Ukpong Akpan, had informed the court of a petition filed against Justice Aikawa before the National Judicial Council.
Despite the pending petition, the judge ruled that he would proceed with the arraignment and entertain any formal application for recusal.
The court had initially fixed March 31, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the bail request, but proceedings were extended following Tuesday’s developments.
The ICPC’s decision to release El-Rufai temporarily to attend his mother’s burial sparked widespread debate, particularly as it came despite an existing remand order.
The development attracted reactions across political divides, with many Nigerians expressing mixed views over the decision.
In the wake of his mother’s death, El-Rufai received an outpouring of condolences from top political figures across party lines.
Among those who reached out were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Others included Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, alongside several governors and political leaders.
Prominent figures within the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) also paid condolence visits, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.