El-Rufai Allegedly Set Aside $600,000 for EFCC Bribes, Investigator Tells Court
A forensic investigator with the State Security Service (SSS) has told a Kaduna State High Court that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and some of his associates allegedly set aside $600,000 to bribe officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and intermediaries.
The allegation was made on Tuesday, October 13, by Segun Kayode, while testifying as the first prosecution witness before Justice Darius Khobo at the Kaduna State High Court in Kawo.
Kayode told the court that the alleged payments comprised $500,000 and a further $100,000.
Investigator alleges plan to obstruct EFCC probe
According to the witness, forensic audio recordings captured conversations involving El-Rufai and individuals described as his associates.
Kayode alleged that the discussions centred on attempts to obstruct an EFCC investigation involving Singularity, including plans to liquidate the company in Nigeria and Mauritius.
He also told the court that the recordings allegedly contained discussions about efforts to prevent an investigation involving IHS, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The allegations were presented as part of the prosecution’s case and have not been established as fact by the court.
Defence challenges investigator’s testimony
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, challenged Kayode’s testimony, arguing that the investigator’s name and summary of evidence were not included in the prosecution’s proof of evidence.
The defence argued that the omission affected its ability to properly prepare for the case.
Justice Khobo, however, overruled the objection, ruling that the omission did not automatically make the testimony inadmissible, provided the defence was given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.
The judge also allowed the defence to obtain a certified copy of the investigator’s report for examination.
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
photo credit: Hon Mohammed Bello El-Rufai
Case adjourned for cross-examination
The court has adjourned the case until November 30 and December 1, 2026, when the cross-examination is expected to continue.
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 18 over alleged financial misconduct connected to his 2015–2023 administration.
He has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The alleged $600,000 payment and other claims made by the prosecution remain allegations before the court. The ongoing proceedings will determine how the evidence is tested as the defence continues its cross-examination of the prosecution’s witnesses.
Awobajo Soliat
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