adminBy PressNGR
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was on Tuesday brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to face corruption-related charges, as heavy security blanketed the court premises.
El-Rufai stood before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa as the anti-graft agency presented a multi-count charge against him.
Speaking with reporters after the court session, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, revealed that the charges largely center on alleged deposits made into his client’s domiciliary account and the monetisation of his earnings.
Akpan noted that of the 10 counts filed, El-Rufai was joined in only one. He added that the defence team raised objections to the arraignment, citing a pending matter involving the presiding judge. Despite the objections, the court went ahead with the proceedings and scheduled March 31, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications, including a formal bail request.
The lawyer clarified that no bail application was filed during Tuesday’s session, explaining that the day’s proceedings were strictly for arraignment purposes.
The ICPC prosecution team offered no comments after the hearing.
Background
A day before the arraignment, the ICPC had announced its intention to charge El-Rufai alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026 at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The charges include alleged conversion and unlawful possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
In addition, the commission disclosed a separate case filed at a Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another defendant, Amadu Sule (LEDA), under charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26. The state-level charges reportedly involve abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
Both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, according to the ICPC, which confirmed that the former governor had been properly served. A date for arraignment at the state court is expected to be announced soon.
Tight Security at Court Premises
Security was significantly ramped up around the Federal High Court complex, located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area. Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed as early as 7:00 a.m., taking up positions at key access points.
Vehicular traffic was restricted to a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, causing significant early morning congestion in the area.
How It Started
El-Rufai was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, and was granted bail two days later. He was subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC and has remained in the commission’s custody since then, awaiting the outcome of his bail application.
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