Kaduna court orders forfeiture of N1.37bn traced to officials under El-Rufai’s govt

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the temporary forfeiture of N1.37 billion allegedly diverted by Kaduna state government officials during the administration of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The order, issued on February 28, 2025, by Justice G. M. Kabara, followed an application from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The funds were reportedly traced to Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly used to siphon public money between 2015 and 2023.

For many residents of Kaduna State, this revelation is yet another painful chapter in a long story of broken trust.

The ICPC disclosed that the recovery of the N1.37 billion was part of an ongoing investigation into the financial activities of officials who served under El-Rufai’s administration.

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Justice Kabara also directed the ICPC to publish the forfeiture order in two national newspapers, inviting anyone with legitimate claims to the funds to come forward before a final forfeiture decision is made.

“The defendant is hereby ordered to temporarily forfeit the sum of N1,373,180,510.07 to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Justice Kabara ruled.

This legal action is part of a broader probe into alleged financial irregularities during El-Rufai’s tenure. In 2024, a committee established by the Kaduna State House of Assembly claimed it had uncovered a staggering N432 billion in alleged fraudulent transactions. Several former government appointees are already facing criminal trials in connection with these findings.

El-Rufai, however, has dismissed the allegations, calling the investigations politically motivated. “This is nothing more than a witch-hunt,” he stated in a previous interview. “My administration was transparent and accountable.”

As the case, filed under suit number FHC/KD/C5/28/2025, heads for further hearings on April 8, 2025, many in Kaduna State remain hopeful that the truth will emerge.

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