El-Rufai: I’ll Attend ADC Convention In Spirit

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said he will attend tomorrow’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Convention “in spirit.”

El-Rufai made the remark on Monday as he exited the premises of the Kaduna State High Court, where he is standing trial on a nine-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

The former governor, who has been in detention for over a month, arrived at the court at about 9:00 a.m. He was earlier seen briefly speaking with a loyalist about the ADC convention scheduled to hold in Abuja.

After about four hours of proceedings, El-Rufai emerged from the courtroom accompanied by his lawyers. Responding to questions from journalists on the convention, he said:“I will attend, but in spirit.”

He then entered a Hilux vehicle that conveyed him from the court, under the watch of armed police officers and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

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There was a heavy security presence within and around the court premises, including along adjoining roads in the Kaduna metropolis.

El-Rufai was arraigned alongside one Amadu Sule on allegations including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.