Court Limits CCTV Footage in El-Rufai's ICPC Case

On October 20, a court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Chigozie Onah, ruled that CCTV footage from an Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) facility would be shown for only 20 minutes per side in the ongoing case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The judge rejected El-Rufai's request for the full recording to be played, stating that the court "cannot be turned into a viewing centre" and lacked the time for a six-hour recording.

Justice Onah supported ICPC counsel Yetunde Mosunmola's argument that parts of the footage contained sensitive information that could pose a security risk if shown in open court. The court also denied El-Rufai's request for two ICPC officials to appear for cross-examination, citing that fundamental rights enforcement cases are decided on affidavit evidence.

El-Rufai's originating motion, filed on August 13, seeks N10 billion in damages and other reliefs, claiming his family was denied access to him during his detention. The case is adjourned to November 3 for a definite hearing.