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A Nigerian High Court in Kaduna has adjourned ruling on the bail applications filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, until July 1, 2026, in an alleged corruption case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari fixed the date on Wednesday after hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence counsel.
El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, financial impropriety and money laundering.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to Count One, while Lawal pleaded not guilty to Counts Six, Seven and Eight.
One of the corporate defendants, Singularity Network Security Limited, was arraigned on Counts Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, 10 and 11.
Defence counsel informed the court that bail applications had been filed on behalf of the defendants and urged the court to grant the requests.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1 for ruling on the bail applications.
El-Rufai arrived at the High Court under heavy security as proceedings resumed in the high-profile case.
Earlier on Wednesday, the former governor also appeared before the Kaduna State High Court presided over by Justice Darius Khobo in a separate ICPC case involving allegations of abuse of office and money laundering allegedly committed during his administration between 2015 and 2023.
Justice Khobo subsequently adjourned that case until June 29, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.
According to the ICPC, its investigations uncovered alleged irregularities in the management of public funds and the award of government contracts during the period under review.
However, El-Rufai and the other defendants have denied all the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
