El-Rufai arrived at the court at approximately 11:59 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, accompanied by Isah Ashiru, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, as security was heightened around the court premises.

His appearance followed a directive by the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, ordering the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to produce him in court for the resumed proceedings.

The case was adjourned on Monday after El-Rufai was absent from court. The court was reportedly informed that he had requested access to his personal medical doctor to review medical test results.

At Monday’s sitting, ICPC lead counsel Ayodeji Adedipe told the court that the prosecution had expected the former governor to attend the proceedings. He explained that the prosecution had communicated with the defence team regarding the schedule and had agreed to an adjournment to accommodate legal commitments, while proposing that the trial continue on Tuesday.

The defence team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Paul Erokoro, had sought an adjournment to enable counsel to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria at the Supreme Court.

Tuesday’s sitting is expected to advance the substantive case, which concerns allegations of financial offences arising from transactions and decisions made during El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure as Kaduna governor. The allegations remain subject to determination by the court.

The latest proceedings come days after the Court of Appeal in Kaduna dismissed El-Rufai’s appeal challenging the refusal of his bail application by the state high court.

In a unanimous judgment delivered in October, a three-member panel held that El-Rufai had not presented fresh facts or special circumstances sufficient to justify overturning the lower court’s decision. The lead judgment was delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, who affirmed the high court’s refusal of the former governor’s second bail application on June 10, 2026.

The appellate court also struck out a reply brief filed by the appellant on September 29, describing it as incompetent, and ruled against his appeal.

During the proceedings, Erokoro argued that the offences El-Rufai faced were bailable and did not carry the death penalty. He also maintained that his client’s continued detention was making it more difficult to prepare his defence, including consulting lawyers and witnesses and maintaining confidential communication with his legal team.

The ICPC opposed the appeal, arguing that the trial court had exercised its discretion appropriately and that the former governor had failed to establish sufficient grounds for the appellate court to intervene.

The Court of Appeal ultimately dismissed the appeal for lack of merit, leaving the decision to deny bail in place.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, according to reports on the case. His latest court appearance follows a series of adjournments and legal applications as the prosecution continues.

The proceedings will determine the allegations against the former governor through the judicial process.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia