Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Case Till December 8 as DSS Witness Alleges $600,000 EFCC Bribery Plot

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has left the Federal High Court in Kaduna after proceedings in his case were adjourned until December 8, 2026, following a request by a newly assigned prosecution lawyer for more time to study the case.

The Press Nigeria reports that the presiding judge, Justice Hauwa Buhari, granted the request to allow the new lawyer to familiarise himself with the case and prepare for the continuation of proceedings.

El-Rufai appeared in court on Wednesday amid ongoing legal proceedings linked to allegations of financial misconduct during his administration as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.

The latest development comes as a forensic investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS), Segun Kayode, reportedly made allegations involving an alleged $600,000 arrangement to compromise officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At Tuesday’s hearing, Kayode, identified as the first prosecution witness, told the court that El-Rufai and some of his alleged associates had purportedly set aside the money to pay EFCC officials and intermediaries.

According to the witness, the alleged sum was divided into $500,000 and $100,000.

Kayode further claimed that forensic audio recordings captured conversations between the former governor and some of his alleged associates concerning purported efforts to frustrate an EFCC investigation involving a company identified as Singularity.

The allegations, if established, could raise serious questions about attempts to interfere with anti-corruption investigations. However, the claims remain allegations presented by the prosecution and must be tested through the judicial process.

El-Rufai has been involved in ongoing legal proceedings relating to allegations arising from his time in office. The precise charges and evidence in each case must be distinguished, particularly where proceedings before different courts or involving separate agencies are concerned.

The adjournment to December 8 means the court proceedings will continue after the newly assigned prosecution counsel has had additional time to prepare.

As the case progresses, the prosecution will be required to establish its allegations with admissible evidence, while the defence will have the opportunity to challenge the witness’s account and the interpretation of any recordings presented before the court.