BREAKING: El-Rufai returns to Kaduna court for trial after mother’s burial

Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna state governor appeared at the Kaduna state high court on Tuesday for formal arraignment before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai, who had spent over a month in detention, faces a 10-count charge including alleged conversion and possession of public property, money laundering, abuse of office, and conferring undue advantage.

His arraignment was previously adjourned to allow him attend the funeral of Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, his mother in Cairo, Egypt, on compassionate grounds.

The funeral prayers in Abuja drew prominent figures, including Atiku Abubakar,  former vice president, Peter Obi, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former governors Rotimi Amaechi and Aminu Tambuwal.

Under heavy security, El-Rufai arrived at court in a white pickup truck, wearing a light-blue agbada with matching cap and yellow-patterned inner garment, accompanied by aides and uniformed officers.

He is to be arraigned alongside Amadu Sule, after which the ICPC plans to transfer him to the federal high court in Kaduna to consider his bail application.

El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations against him.

More to come…