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 earmarked $600,000 to settle officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and intermediaries.

Kayode, the prosecution’s first witness, made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying before the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo, Kaduna, presided over by Justice Darius Khobo

According to the witness, the alleged payment comprised $500,000 and an additional $100,000 intended for the proposed settlement. He told the court that forensic audio recordings captured conversations involving El-Rufai and some individuals suspected of being his associates.

Kayode said the recorded conversations centred on alleged attempts to frustrate an EFCC investigation into a company identified as Singularity.

Among those allegedly mentioned in the recordings were a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), AU Mustapha; Jimi Lawal; and Bashir El-Rufai.

The investigator further alleged that Mustapha and Lawal were instructed to meet an individual identified as Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used in the liquidation of another company. According to him, the intention was to apply a similar process to Singularity.

He told the court that the discussions also involved plans to liquidate the company’s operations in Nigeria and Mauritius, where the firm was reportedly under investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

Kayode also alleged that the recordings contained conversations about preventing the EFCC from investigating IHS, which he described as a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The allegations formed part of the prosecution’s evidence against the former governor. However, they remain allegations presented in court and have yet to be established by a final judicial determination.

The proceedings were marked by a legal dispute over the admissibility of Kayode’s testimony, with El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), objecting to the witness’s appearance.

Erokoro argued that Kayode’s name and a summary of his proposed evidence were not included in the prosecution’s proof of evidence. He maintained that the omission undermined his client’s right to a fair hearing by denying the defence adequate information to prepare for the testimony.

However, counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), argued that Kayode had been subpoenaed to testify and that his omission from the proof of evidence did not automatically render his testimony inadmissible.

Adedipe told the court that the subpoena was issued and signed on June 30, 2026. He added that the defence would have the opportunity to challenge the witness’s evidence through cross-examination.

The prosecution counsel also cited judicial authorities in support of his position.

Responding, Erokoro maintained that the central issue was not whether the witness could testify but whether the defence had received adequate notice of the evidence it was expected to answer.

He relied on Section 210 of the applicable Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017, arguing that the prosecution ought to have served the subpoena on the defence.

In its ruling, the court acknowledged that Kayode’s name and summary of evidence were missing from the proof of evidence but held that the records showed he had been subpoenaed.

Justice Khobo ruled that the omission did not automatically render the testimony inadmissible, provided the defence was given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.

The judge consequently overruled the objection and directed Kayode to proceed with his testimony.

Following his testimony, Kayode submitted a hard copy of his findings to the court clerk.

The defence subsequently objected, arguing that the document should have been served earlier to allow adequate time to examine its contents.

Justice Khobo, however, ruled that the defence could obtain a certified true copy of the document admitted as Exhibit One for examination.

The hearing lasted nearly eight hours, running from 12:26 pm to 8:18 pm. Approximately two hours were devoted to playing the recorded conversations presented as part of the prosecution’s evidence.

The court adjourned the case until November 30 and December 1, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination, following agreement between the prosecution and the defence.

El – Rufai who arrived at the court ahead of time, was accompanied by Isa Ashiru, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

The former governor’s 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 on Monday after El-Rufai failed to appear. The court was reportedly informed that he had requested access to his personal physician to review his medical test results.

The resumed hearing also came days after the Court of Appeal in Kaduna dismissed El-Rufai’s appeal challenging the state high court’s refusal to grant him bail.

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 has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 18, 2026, over allegations of financial misconduct linked to his administration of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly had petitioned the anti-corruption agency 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.

El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The allegations against him remain subject to judicial determination.