Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday appeared at the Kaduna State High Court for the hearing of his bail application in an amended nine-count charge filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai is facing allegations bordering on fraud, abuse of office and corruption during his tenure as governor.
Journalists were barred from accessing the courtroom as proceedings commenced.
Sources at the court said the initial charge sheet included El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule, but the co-defendant was later removed in the amended charge, leaving the former governor as the sole accused person.
Speaking with journalists after the brief sitting, defence counsel Ubong Akpan (SAN) confirmed that the prosecution had amended the charges and served the defence team in court.
He said the late service of the amended charge made it impossible for the hearing to proceed.
“The charges are entirely new to us. We were only served this morning in court. That is why the matter could not go on,” Akpan said.
“We will study the amended charges and respond appropriately after due consideration.”
Presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, subsequently adjourned the matter to April 14 for hearing of the bail application.
Court documents seen by journalists show that the ICPC accused the former governor of multiple financial and procurement-related infractions during his time in office.
In one of the counts, El-Rufai was alleged to have caused the release of about ₦11 billion by the Kaduna State Government to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never executed.
He was also accused of approving and receiving about ₦289.8 million as severance allowance, allegedly exceeding the legally approved entitlement of about ₦20 million, thereby conferring undue benefit on himself.
Another allegation claims he mismanaged over $1.08 million from a World Bank-supported loan for the state, allegedly in breach of the terms of the facility.
The ICPC further alleged that he conspired with an associate, said to be at large, to obstruct a federal investigation involving a private company by offering inducements to investigators.
Other counts include the alleged irregular award of a ₦4.6 billion CCTV contract in Kaduna metropolis in violation of procurement regulations, as well as alleged undue advantage conferred on associates through the contract process.
El-Rufai has consistently denied the allegations.
The case is expected to continue with the determination of his bail application at the next adjourned date.
