The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) wishes to update the general public on the latest development in the trial of former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before the State High Court.
The case took another significant turn on Wednesday as his lead defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro, SAN, distanced himself from three separate applications seeking the recusal of the trial judge and requested leave of court to file a fresh application.
The matter, instituted by the ICPC, was scheduled for the hearing of the defendant’s motion for the recusal of the presiding judge.
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, Mr Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that he could neither identify with nor adopt the three applications filed by junior counsel, Mr Ubong Akpan, describing them as containing combative language and extraneous matters. He consequently sought leave to file a fresh application and undertook to withdraw the earlier motions.
In the interest of fair hearing, the prosecution 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.
