Twist in El-Rufai’s trial as lawyer disowns recusal applications

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday said its prosecution of former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai took another significant turn on Wednesday.

ICPC said this was as El-Rufai lead defence counsel, Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, distanced himself from three separate applications seeking the recusal of the trial judge.

The defence lawyer also requested leave of court to file a fresh application.

ICPC said this while giving an update in the trial of the former governor before Kaduna State High Court.

The matter, instituted by the ICPC, was scheduled for the hearing of the defendant’s motion for the recusal of the presiding judge.

But ICPC in a statement by John Odey, its spokesperson, said at the commencement of proceedings, lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, informed the court that although the matter had been fixed for hearing of the defendant’s recusal application filed on 6 July 2026, the defence had, between the last adjourned date and the day’s proceedings, filed three separate applications for recusal, including one that was served on the prosecution shortly before the court commenced sitting on Wednesday, the 15th of July

Responding, Erokoro told the court that he could neither identify with nor adopt the three applications filed by junior counsel, Mr. Ubong Akpan.

He described them as containing combative language and extraneous matters. He consequently sought leave to file a fresh application and undertook to withdraw the earlier motions.

ICPC said in the interest of fair hearing, it did not oppose the application for an adjournment.

The court thereafter adjourned the matter by consent of both parties to 22 July 2026 for the hearing of the fresh motion for recusal.

The criminal trial arises from charges filed by the ICPC against the former governor over allegations of abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and other corruption-related offences allegedly committed during his tenure in office.

The Commission remains committed to diligently prosecuting the case in accordance with the law.