A forensic investigator with the State Security Service (SSS), Segun Kayode, has alleged that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and some of his associates planned to spend $600,000 on payments to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and intermediaries.
Kayode made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying as the first prosecution witness in the ongoing case against El-Rufai before the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo, Kaduna.
The case is being heard by Justice Darius Khobo.
The investigator told the court that $500,000 and another $100,000 were allegedly earmarked for the payments. He said forensic audio recordings captured conversations involving El-Rufai and some individuals suspected of working with him.
According to Kayode, the conversations centred on alleged efforts to frustrate an EFCC investigation into a company identified as Singularity.
He named Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) AU Mustapha, Jimi Lawal and Bashir El-Rufai among those allegedly mentioned in the recordings.
The witness further alleged that Mustapha and Lawal were instructed to meet a man identified as Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used to liquidate another company.
He told the court that the intention was allegedly to use a similar process to liquidate Singularity.
Kayode also claimed that the discussions covered plans to liquidate the company in Nigeria and Mauritius, where it was reportedly under investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
The investigator alleged that the recordings contained other conversations about efforts to prevent the EFCC from investigating IHS, which he said was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The allegations formed part of the prosecution’s evidence against the former governor. They have not been established as facts by the court.
Defence Challenges Investigator’s Testimony
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, objected to Kayode’s testimony, arguing that the witness’s name and summary of evidence were not included in the prosecution’s proof of evidence.
Erokoro told the court that the omission could undermine his client’s right to a fair hearing because the defence needed to know the evidence it would be required to answer.
However, counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, argued that Kayode was a subpoenaed witness and that his omission from the proof of evidence did not automatically make his testimony inadmissible.
Adedipe told the court that the subpoena had been issued and signed by the court on June 30, 2026. He added that the defence would have the opportunity to cross-examine the investigator.
The prosecution lawyer also cited judicial authorities in support of his position.
In response, Erokoro maintained that the issue was whether the defence had received adequate information to prepare for the testimony, rather than whether the witness could appear before the court.
He relied on Section 210 of the applicable Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017, arguing that the prosecution should have served the subpoena on the defence.
Court Allows Witness to Continue
In its ruling, the court acknowledged that Kayode’s name and summary of evidence were absent from the proof of evidence.
However, Justice Khobo held that the omission did not automatically render the testimony inadmissible, provided the defence was allowed to cross-examine the witness.
The judge consequently overruled the objection and directed Kayode to continue giving evidence.
After the investigator submitted a hard copy of his findings to the court clerk, the defence raised another objection, arguing that the document should have been provided earlier to allow adequate time for examination.
Justice Khobo ruled that the defence could obtain a certified true copy of the document admitted as Exhibit One for review.
The proceedings lasted nearly eight hours, from 12:26 pm to 8:18 pm, with approximately two hours devoted to playing the recorded conversations.
The court adjourned the case until November 30 and December 1, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination, following agreement between the prosecution and defence.
El-Rufai Arrives Under Tight Security
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 11:50 am, ahead of the scheduled noon hearing, amid tight security.
He was accompanied by Isa Ashiru, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State.
His appearance followed an order by Justice Khobo directing the ICPC to produce him in court for the resumed proceedings.
The previous sitting had been adjourned after the former governor was absent. The court was informed that he had requested access to his personal physician to review medical test results.
The resumed hearing came days after the Court of Appeal in Kaduna dismissed El-Rufai’s appeal challenging the refusal of bail by the state high court.
In a judgment delivered on October 9, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision, ruling that the former governor had not established sufficient grounds to justify overturning the refusal of bail.
El-Rufai Denies Allegations
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, over allegations of financial misconduct relating to his administration of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly had petitioned the commission over the alleged diversion and mismanagement of more than N423bn in public funds during his eight-year tenure.
The former governor is facing multiple cases involving allegations of money laundering, abuse of office, fraud and other financial offences before different courts.
He has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
