The Counsel to the former Governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Paul Erokoro (SAN), has apologized to the State High Court sitting in Kaduna on Wednesday.

The counsel sought the court permission to discontinue the three applications earlier filed by the defendant’s legal team.

Erokoro has also filled a fresh application in the ongoing corrupt allegation instituted against El-rufai by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

As the sitting continues before Justice Darius Khobo, El-Rufai’s lawyer, in his submissions admitted that the pending applications are combative in nature.

While apologizing for bothering the court, he mentioned that he could not adopt some of the languages used in the applications earlier filed by the legal team of the defendant.

Erokoro who just took over the case, explained that he had studied all the applications filed earlier, but due to their confrontational nature, hence the need to file a fresh application.

He pleaded for more time to file a new application, just as he sought the permission to withdraw the three pending applications earlier filed.

While fielding questions from journalists shortly after the court sitting, one of the prosecution counsels, Ibrahim Muktar explained that between the adjourned day till date, two more applications were filed on the same issue, asking the judge to requise himself.

Muktar who frowned at the filling of fresh application by El-Rufai’s new counsel, described such action as a delay method, adding that as prosecutors, and in the interest of justice, they have a duty to prosecute without any delay.

He explained further that the matter came up on the 6th of July for hearing with all the witnesses ready, however, the defense’s counsel filed an application with other series of applications aiming at frustrating the trial.

“Charge has been filed, prosecution is ready, defense is bringing multiple application and that is what is destroying the time, frustrating the prosecution from commencing the trial, we would have gone far if not because of these applications,” the counsel explained.

Following the plea by El-Rufai’s new counsel for more time to file a new application, the case has been adjourned to 22nd day of July,2026 for hearing.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties, including a university, linked to Mr Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, to the Federal Government.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s, EFCC, had been able to prove that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Justice Abdulmalik held that Malami had failed to show that the properties were acquired through lawful sources.

Earlier, the judge dismissed several applications, motions on notice and applications to show cause filed by Mr Malami, his family members and some companies linked to the properties, describing them as “wanting in merit.”

She held that the issue before the court was not “who owns the properties, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties.”

According to the judge, the respondents had “not dislodged the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired by unlawful activities.”

Justice Abdulmalik relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act in granting the final forfeiture order.

The judge, however, vacated the interim forfeiture order in respect of nine other properties sought to be forfeited by the EFCC.

She held that the anti-graft agency was unable to prove that the nine properties located in Kebbi and Kaduna State were gotten through unlawful activities.

Justice Abdulmalik had fixed today for judgment in the forfeiture suit filed by the EFCC against 57 properties linked to Malami.

The anti-graft agency had, in the suit, sought the final forfeiture of the properties for reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Justice Emeka Nwite had, on Jan. 16, made an order for interim forfeiture of the 57 properties after Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, moved the motion ex-parte.

The EFCC instituted the suit, seeking the permanent forfeiture of the 57 properties worth N212.8 billion.

Following the publication of the interim order, Malami, his wife Nana Hadiza, his son, Abdulaziz, and several companies linked to the properties filed objections.

They urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application and set aside the interim forfeiture order, arguing that it was wrongly granted.

They also argued that the properties were lawfully acquired and that the EFCC failed to establish any connection between the assets and any unlawful activity.

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi the member representing Bichi Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Appropriation has launched the fourth edition of his postgraduate scholarship support programme, approving scholarships worth N25,853,128.50 for 122 students from the constituency.

The programme was officially launched on Sunday during the fourth edition of his flagship Postgraduate Support Programme held at  Zibsah event Centre off FCE (T) Bichi Old Campus Road.

The scholarship initiative, which targets postgraduate students pursuing Master’s and PhD degrees in institutions across Nigeria, forms part of the lawmaker’s sustained investment in education and human capital development.

Speaking during the inauguration, Bichi said the programme was designed to support students in achieving their academic aspirations and contribute to the development of Bichi Federal Constituency through education.

He disclosed that 122 postgraduate students were selected as beneficiaries under the fourth edition of the programme, with a total N25,853,128.50 approved for their sponsorship.

The lawmaker also announced that 21 postgraduate students were awarded scholarships for studies in Malaysia as the first batch. About 80 percent of the beneficiaries have graduated, while a second batch, larger than the first, is expected to depart in September.

According to him, he constructed more than 700 classrooms across the 12 wards of the local government area to address infrastructural deficits in primary and secondary schools.

Bichi added that he is currently sponsoring the salaries of 500 temporary teachers, earning N60,000 monthly, as part of efforts to strengthen the quality of education and address teacher shortages in public schools.

The lawmaker’s educational intervention also included  scholarships for more than 500 students enrolled in schools under the Kano State Science and Technical School Board, covering tuition fees, learning materials, accommodation needs and other essential expenses.

Bichi’s scholarship programme extends to students from Bichi studying in universities, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

He further revealed that an E-Library currently under construction in Bichi will provide students with access to digital learning resources and modern research facilities.

He noted that his development agenda also covers infrastructure, healthcare and youth empowerment projects aimed at improving living standards and creating opportunities for residents of the constituency.