The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the interim forfeiture of ?1.37 billion, funds allegedly siphoned from the Kaduna State Government during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The ruling, delivered on February 28, 2025, by Justice H. Buhari, follows an ex parte application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which traced the money to a private account linked to a failed light rail project.
According to the ICPC, the funds were part of ?11.1 billion allocated for a proposed light rail system in Kaduna, a project touted as a transformative infrastructure initiative but never executed during El-Rufais tenure from 2015 to 2023. The anti-graft agency revealed that payments began flowing to Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig. Ltd.a joint venture between the state government and Indian investorsas early as December 2016, months before the entity was officially registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on May 10, 2017. Between December 2016 and January 2017, El-Rufai allegedly approved the transfer of ?11.1 billion into the companys Sterling Bank account, of which ?1.373 billion was diverted into a private account now under scrutiny.
The ICPC argued that the misappropriation deprived Kaduna residents of a vital transportation system, prompting their push for the funds recovery. Justice Buharis order also mandates the publication of a notice in two national newspapers, inviting any interested parties to stake a claim to the money before the court by April 8, 2025, when further proceedings are scheduled. The judge emphasized that the forfeiture aligns with public interest, promoting accountability without infringing on constitutional rights.
The investigation stems from a petition filed by lawyer M. Yahaya of NUS AB Chambers, Abuja, on June 27, 2024, and received by the ICPC on July 1, 2024, alleging widespread financial mismanagement under El-Rufais leadership. The probe has already seen former officials from his administration facing legal action at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the ICPC over related fraud allegations. Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government, under current Governor Uba Sani, has launched its own inquiry into corruption during El-Rufais eight-year reign.
El-Rufai and his allies have vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them a politically motivated witch hunt. They argue that the light rail funds, which they claim are private assets, were part of a legitimate joint venture and that seizing them could deter foreign investment in Nigeria. The former governors camp insists no wrongdoing occurred, framing the ICPCs actions as an abuse of power.
As the legal battle unfolds, the forfeiture order marks a significant escalation in efforts to recover allegedly misappropriated public funds, spotlighting governance and transparency in Kaduna State. With the second leg of this case looming, all eyes will be on the April 8 hearing to see if any claimants emerge to challenge the ICPCs bid for permanent forfeiture to the federal government.
