Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai appeared at the Kaduna State High Court on Monday, April 13, 2026, as proceedings resumed in his ongoing trial filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission.

El-Rufai is standing trial alongside Amadu Sule on allegations including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

Before entering the courtroom, El-Rufai was overheard speaking with an associate about the African Democratic Congress national convention scheduled for Tuesday. “So tomorrow is our convention, right?” he asked. The associate replied, “God willing.”

The brief exchange occurred as El-Rufai, dressed in white babbanriga and an ash-colored cap, walked into court with his lawyers and one of his wives. Security was tight around the court premises and access roads.

El-Rufai also faces a separate 10-count charge at the Federal High Court in Kaduna involving alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud totaling N579.6 million and $1.1 million, also filed by the ICPC. A bail hearing in that case is set for Tuesday, April 14.

The ADC has described El-Rufai’s trial as a “witch-hunt,” accusing the Federal Government of targeting opposition leaders. The party said it will proceed with its convention despite a warning from the Independent National Electoral Commission.