The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, today, March 24, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna over allegations of multi-billion-naira fraud, abuse of office, money laundering, and related offences. El-Rufai will face the court alongside an associate in Suit No: FHC/KD/73/2026.
A separate charge is also pending before the Kaduna State High Court, involving additional co-defendants, though a date for that proceeding has yet to be fixed. ICPC stated that the charges stem from El-Rufai’s tenure as governor and include alleged financial impropriety, wrongful enrichment, contract irregularities, and abuse of official powers.
Specifically, the commission alleges that El-Rufai induced the Kaduna State government to pay N11 billion to Indokaduna MRTS JV Nigeria Limited for a light rail project that was never executed. He is also accused of approving severance payments totaling N289.8 million, far exceeding his lawful entitlement, and misappropriating $1,085,066.38 from a World Bank loan. Additional allegations involve the awarding of contracts worth billions, including a N4.61 billion CCTV project and a $22.47 million contract to Singularity Network Security Limited, in violation of procurement laws.
In the state court case, El-Rufai and co-defendant Amadu Sule face 10 counts, including fraud, abuse of office, conspiracy, and unlawful land dealings. The charges also relate to the same light rail and CCTV contracts, along with disputes over land ownership and alleged undue advantage in land allocations.
ICPC confirmed that El-Rufai has been formally served and reiterated that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, assuring that proceedings will adhere to due process and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, called on the federal government to release El-Rufai and other political detainees, arguing that no one should be held simply for holding a different political view. Atiku, who visited former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, described the current political climate as a threat to democracy, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of dismantling democratic norms and using state institutions to suppress opposition.
Atiku warned that the continued targeting of opposition figures, including El-Rufai and Malami, represents a deliberate campaign to coerce politicians into the ruling party and likened the situation to historical attempts at authoritarian control. He described the actions as political extortion and a civilian coup, emphasizing that freedom of choice and political competition are essential to democracy.
The ICPC arraignment and Atiku’s statements highlight growing tensions over governance, accountability, and political freedoms in Nigeria, as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
