March 24, (THEWILL) — Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai was arraigned alongside Joel Adoga in a case marked FHC/KD/73/2026, bordering on allegations of conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
The former governor, who appeared before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, was brought into the courtroom at about 9:31 a.m. under heavy security presence.
He had earlier arrived in a white van escorted by operatives of the Department of State Services.
According to the ICPC, El-Rufai had been duly served with the charges ahead of his arraignment.
The Commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, said the charges stem from investigations into the alleged unlawful handling of public assets.
The anti-graft agency also disclosed that it has filed a separate case before the Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and Amadu Sule of the Kaduna Light Rail Transit Authority (KADLRA), with charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26.
The state charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage, with the Commission noting that both cases were filed on March 18, 2026.
It added that the former governor had been duly served, while a date for arraignment at the state court would be communicated in due course.
Addressing journalists after the court session, counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, said the charges largely revolve around alleged deposits into his client’s domiciliary account and the monetisation of his earnings.
“Out of 10 counts, they joined him on only one,” Akpan stated, adding that the defence raised objections to the arraignment on the grounds of a pending issue involving the presiding judge.
Despite the objections, the court proceeded with the arraignment and subsequently adjourned the matter to March 31, 2026, to hear pending applications, including a request for bail.
Akpan clarified that no bail application was moved during Tuesday’s proceedings.
“It cannot be made for bail today because the application was made for arraignment today… The matter was adjourned to the 31st of this month to hear the bail application,” he said.
El-Rufai’s two wives and his son, Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, were present in court during the proceedings.
Meanwhile, there was tension in parts of Kaduna as large crowds of supporters took to the streets protesting what they described as the unjust incarceration of the former governor.
The protesters were reportedly denied access to the Kaduna High Court road by security operatives, leading to heightened security presence in the area.
Tuesday’s arraignment marks El-Rufai’s first public appearance since his arrest in February, following investigations reportedly conducted by both the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
