ICPC Amends Charges Against El-Rufai, Adjourns Bail Hearing

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has amended the charges against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, dropping co-defendant Amadu Sule due to health reasons. Sule is undergoing medical treatment and has been removed from the case.

The court session took place amid tight security, with restricted access for journalists. El-Rufai now faces nine counts of corruption, including allegations of authorizing the release of N11 billion for an unregistered entity related to a light rail project and mismanaging $1.08 million from a World Bank facility grant.

Additional allegations include approving N289.8 million in benefits exceeding legal entitlements and irregularities in awarding a N4.6 billion contract for closed-circuit television within Kaduna. The presiding judge, Dariu Khobo, adjourned the hearing on El-Rufai's bail application until April 14, allowing the state legal team to review the amended charges.