El-Rufai appears in Court, speaks on ADC convention amid ongoing trial

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday appeared before the Kaduna State High Court as his trial filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) continued.

Shortly before entering the courtroom, the former governor was heard discussing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national convention scheduled for Tuesday.

“So tomorrow is our convention, right?” El-Rufai asked.

“Insha Allah (God willing),” an associate replied.

The brief exchange drew attention as the opposition party prepares for the convention amid heightened political tension.

El-Rufai is standing trial alongside Amadu Sule on charges including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

In a separate matter before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, also instituted by the ICPC, he faces a 10-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud involving ₦579.6 million and $1.1 million.

The former governor has consistently denied all allegations brought against him.

Since returning from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12, 2026, El-Rufai has remained entangled in multiple legal proceedings. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initially detained him before transferring him to the custody of the ICPC.

He was later granted temporary release on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial before returning to custody.

The Federal High Court in Kaduna had earlier fixed his bail hearing for April 14, coinciding with the ADC convention.

Meanwhile, the ADC has described the prosecution as politically motivated, an allegation the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied.