Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday returned to the Kaduna State High Court as proceedings in his ongoing trial resumed.
He arrived at the court premises under noticeable security presence, as officials maintained order while the case continued to attract public attention.
His appearance comes shortly after he was granted temporary release by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), reportedly on compassionate grounds, to attend the burial of his late mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who passed away in Cairo, Egypt.
While the anti-corruption agency has not officially disclosed the conditions attached to his release, sources indicate it was approved to allow him participate in the funeral rites.
The development had earlier sparked reactions from members of his family, including his son, Bashir El-Rufai, who publicly criticised the agency over his father’s detention.
El-Rufai is currently facing trial over allegations of financial misconduct and money laundering. However, his legal team has maintained that he is not guilty and has challenged aspects of the charges brought against him.
The case, which has drawn widespread attention, was previously adjourned to allow for the hearing of pending applications, including issues relating to bail.
Tuesday’s session is expected to focus on procedural matters and possibly advance the hearing of the case.
As proceedings continue, it remains uncertain whether the former governor will retain his temporary release or be required to return to custody, pending further court decisions.