Court Orders El-Rufai’s Ex-Aides to Defend ₦155M Case

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has mandated former aides of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, including Said Murktar, to open their defense in a ₦155 million money laundering trial. Justice Rilwan Aikawa dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defense, ruling that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had established a prima facie case against them.

The prosecution presented four counts of money laundering offenses under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, alleging that Murktar, who was the cashier at the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance at the time, withdrew ₦155 million in multiple cash tranches. The ICPC claimed these funds were handled in cash and benefited proxies, violating statutory financial regulations.

The trial is set to commence with the defense's arraignment on January 21, 2025, and the next court date is scheduled for June 22, 2026.