Court Orders Forfeiture Of Kaduna’s N1.37bn Allegedly Diverted Under El-Rufai
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the interim forfeiture of N1.37 billion, allegedly diverted from the Kaduna State Government’s funds during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The funds were meant for a failed light rail project, which was never executed, depriving the state’s residents of its intended benefits.
The money was reportedly funneled into a private account, prompting an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). On February 28, Justice H. Buhari issued the forfeiture order after an ex parte application was filed by the ICPC on February 14.
The ICPC explained that the diversion occurred through Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig. Ltd., a joint venture entity between the state government and Indian investors. The commission revealed that despite the company not being officially incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) until May 2017, El-Rufai’s administration had approved payments totaling N11.1 billion between December 2016 and January 2017. Of this, N1.373 billion was traced to a private account.
At the ex parte hearing on February 28, ICPC’s lawyer, E.O. Akponimisingha, moved for the interim forfeiture of the funds, and the court granted the request without opposing parties present. The court has instructed the ICPC to publish a public notice in two national newspapers, inviting any interested parties to submit claims regarding the N1.37 billion and why it should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government. The case has been adjourned until April 8, 2025.
In the application, ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu emphasized that redirecting the funds towards public-use projects would benefit the wider public interest and promote governance and accountability. The commission stressed that the forfeiture order would not violate constitutional rights.
The investigation began after the ICPC received a petition in June 2024 from M. Yahaya, a lawyer with NUS’ AB Chambers in Abuja, alleging the misappropriation of Kaduna State funds by El-Rufai’s officials. Some former officials of the El-Rufai administration are already facing corruption-related charges with the EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau, and Code of Conduct Tribunal.
In response, El-Rufai and his allies have denied the allegations, labeling the investigations as a “witch-hunt.” They argue that the ICPC’s action to confiscate the light rail project funds, which they describe as private assets, is an abuse of power that could harm foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nigeria.
