There was mild drama at the Kaduna State High Court on Monday as former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was overheard discussing the forthcoming national convention of the African Democratic Congress.
The opposition party has vowed to proceed with its convention scheduled for Tuesday despite warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission against holding the exercise.
El-Rufai, who arrived at the court around 9am, was seen exchanging brief words with a loyalist while walking into the courtroom.
Dressed in a white babban riga and ash-coloured cap, the former governor clutched a white document as he moved alongside his legal team.
“So tomorrow is the convention, right?” El-Rufai asked.
“God’s willing,” the loyalist replied, prompting a smile from the former governor as he proceeded into the courtroom with one of his wives.
Security presence was visibly heightened within and around the court premises, with access roads heavily monitored by operatives.
El-Rufai is standing trial alongside one Amadu Sule over allegations bordering on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
The charges, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, are separate from another case before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application is expected to be heard on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the ADC has dismissed the trial as a witch-hunt, alleging that the Federal Government is targeting opposition figures.
