I’ll attend ADC convention in spirit — El-Rufai

Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor, has said that he would attend Tuesday’s National Convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) “in spirit.”

El-Rufai made the remark on Monday while leaving the Kaduna State High Court, where he is standing trial on a nine-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC).

The David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC had fixed Tuesday for the convention, despite warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The former governor, who has been in detention for over a month, arrived at the court at about 9 am and was briefly seen speaking with a loyalist about the convention scheduled to hold in Abuja.

After about four hours of proceedings, he emerged from the courtroom accompanied by his lawyers.

Responding to question from journalists on whether he would attend the convention, he said, “I will attend, but in spirit.”

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

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

El-Rufai was arraigned on allegations bordering on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and among others.