A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has ordered the interim forfeiture of ₦1.37 billion allegedly diverted from the state government’s coffers into a private account during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The funds, which were allegedly transferred into an account belonging to Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited, were part of the money allocated for a failed light rail project in Kaduna State under the previous administration.

Justice H. Buhari issued the forfeiture order on February 28, 2025, following an ex parte application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which traced the diverted funds to the private account. The judge also directed the ICPC to publish a notice in two national newspapers, inviting any individual or entity with an interest in the funds to present their case and show cause in court as to why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

ICPC had initially filed the ex parte application on February 14, 2025, seeking to recover the misappropriated funds. The commission argued that the light rail project, which the money was intended for, was never executed under the El-Rufai administration, depriving Kaduna State residents of the transportation system’s intended benefits. In its application, filed by its lawyer E.O. Akponimisingha, ICPC alleged that Kaduna State Government officials funneled the funds through Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig Limited, a joint venture established in 2016 between the state government and Indian investors.

The judge, while ruling on ICPC’s request, granted the interim forfeiture and instructed the commission to issue a public notice in national newspapers to allow any interested party to come forward with their claims. The case has been adjourned to April 8, 2025, for a hearing where potential claimants will have the opportunity to contest the forfeiture in court.

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