The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the temporary forfeiture of N1.37bn, allegedly diverted by officials of the Kaduna State government between 2015 and 2023, during the tenure of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The court ruling, issued on February 28, 2025, followed an application from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the ICPC, the funds were recovered from Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited, which was reportedly used to siphon the money by state officials.
Justice G. M. Kabara of the Federal High Court stated, “The defendant is hereby ordered to temporarily forfeit the sum of N1,373,180,510.07 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The ICPC is currently investigating government officials who served under El-Rufai, with hearings set to continue on April 8, 2025.
The court has also instructed the publication of the forfeiture order in two national newspapers, urging individuals or entities with claims to the funds to come forward.
El-Rufai has denied the allegations, asserting that the criminal cases are politically motivated. This development comes after a committee from the Kaduna State House of Assembly alleged the discovery of a N432bn fraud under El-Rufai’s leadership.