Court adjourns El-Rufai’s case, sets new date

The Federal High Court in Katsina has postponed the defamation case against Dr. Bashir Kurfi to November 4, 2026. Kurfi, a security analyst and university lecturer, is accused of defamation and injurious falsehood concerning comments made about the Katsina State Government and the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. His lawyer, A.D. Umar, informed journalists that the first and third respondents had submitted a counter-affidavit to the defence just before the adjournment.

Umar stated that the defence requires time to review the document and formulate a response. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) expressed solidarity with Kurfi, sending a delegation to support him during the court proceedings. ASUU representative Dahiru Rabe emphasized the union's desire for a fair and timely resolution of the case, asserting that delaying justice is unjust. Kurfi, formerly affiliated with Ahmadu Bello University, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.