A forensic investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS), Segun Kayode, has alleged that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and some of his associates earmarked $600,000 for payments to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and intermediaries.
Kayode made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying as the first prosecution witness in the ongoing case before the Kaduna State High Court in Kawo. The proceedings were presided over by Justice Darius Khobo.
According to the investigator, the alleged funds comprised $500,000 and an additional $100,000. He told the court that forensic audio recordings captured conversations involving El-Rufai and some individuals suspected of being associated with him.
Recordings allegedly linked to Singularity investigation
Kayode said the recorded conversations centred on alleged attempts to frustrate an EFCC investigation into a company identified as Singularity.
He reportedly mentioned Senior Advocate of Nigeria AU Mustapha, Jimi Lawal and Bashir El-Rufai among the individuals referenced in the recordings.
The witness further alleged that Mustapha and Lawal were instructed to meet an individual identified as Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used to liquidate another company. According to his testimony, the template was allegedly intended to facilitate a similar process involving Singularity.
Kayode also told the court that the discussions allegedly covered plans to liquidate the company in Nigeria and Mauritius, where it was reportedly under investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
IHS investigation also mentioned
The investigator further alleged that the recordings contained discussions 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 and have not, by themselves, established wrongdoing by El-Rufai or the other individuals mentioned. Their legal implications remain subject to the court’s determination.
Defence raises objection to witness testimony
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), challenged the witness’s testimony, arguing that Kayode’s name and summary of evidence had not been included in the prosecution’s proof of evidence.
Counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), reportedly argued that the witness had been subpoenaed and that the omission did not automatically make his testimony inadmissible.
Justice Khobo ruled that the omission did not automatically prevent Kayode from testifying, provided the defence was given the opportunity to cross-examine him. The judge also allowed the defence to obtain a certified true copy of the investigator’s findings admitted as Exhibit One.
The hearing lasted from 12:26 p.m. to 8:18 p.m., with approximately two hours devoted to playing the recorded conversations.
The court adjourned the matter until November 30 and December 1, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination.
The allegations remain allegations presented during an ongoing court case and should not be interpreted as a final finding of guilt.
