KEY POINTS

• A Federal High Court in Kaduna adjourned Nasir El-Rufai’s alleged fraud case to March 31 to hear pending applications, including his bail request.
• Peter Obi condemned the reported arrest of a Kaduna cleric, warning that such actions threaten democracy and freedom of expression.
• Democracy Watch Initiative praised ICPC for prosecuting the former governor, citing allegations including fraud, abuse of office, and money laundering.

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the alleged fraud case against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to March 31 to allow the hearing of pending applications filed by his legal team.

The case was instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Counsel to the former governor, Obong Abang, confirmed that an application for bail had already been filed and would be heard on the adjourned date. The presiding judge, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, fixed March 31 for hearing of all pending applications, including the bail request.

Journalists were barred from covering the proceedings, with no official reason provided for restricting access to the courtroom.

Speaking with journalists after the sitting, Abang said the charges against his client mainly involved allegations of deposits into his domiciliary account and the monetisation of earnings. He added that another individual, Joel Adoga, was joined in only one of the 10 counts.

According to the defence, the prosecution sought to arraign El-Rufai, but the court chose to adjourn the matter to address pending applications. The lawyer maintained that the bail application was filed and would be heard on March 31.

The ICPC counsel left the court premises immediately after the proceedings.

Tight Security as El-Rufai Appears in Court

El-Rufai was brought to the court premises by security operatives around 9 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained there briefly before being escorted into the courtroom. He was dressed in a light green babanriga with a matching cap.

Security was heightened around the court, with armed operatives deployed along the Anguwan Sarki to Kawo axis, causing heavy traffic congestion. Family members, including his two wives and his son, Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North in the House of Representatives, were present at the sitting.

The former governor has been in ICPC custody since February 19 over allegations bordering on corrupt practices.

Meanwhile, presidential hopeful Peter Obi condemned the reported arrest of a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, describing the development as a threat to democracy. Obi said he was informed that the cleric was arrested shortly after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday.

In a statement shared on his X account, the former Anambra State governor warned that freedom of speech and movement were increasingly under threat. He argued that harassment of citizens and perceived political opponents could erode democratic values and weaken public trust.

Obi called on authorities to uphold constitutional rights and protect freedom of expression, stressing that suppression of dissent had no place in a democratic society. He urged those in power to respect the rule of law and avoid actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic foundations.