The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday arraigned former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai appeared before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a multi-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency.
Speaking after the proceedings, his counsel, Ubong Akpan, said the charges were largely linked to alleged deposits into the former governor’s domiciliary account and issues surrounding the monetisation of his earnings.
“Out of 10 counts, they joined him on only one,” Akpan said, adding that the defence raised objections to the arraignment due to a pending matter involving the presiding judge.
Despite the objection, the court proceeded with the arraignment and adjourned the case to March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including a bail request.
Akpan explained that no bail application was moved during the session, noting that the day’s proceedings were strictly for arraignment.
The ICPC legal team declined to comment after the hearing.
Earlier, the commission had indicated plans to arraign El-Rufai alongside Joel Adoga in the case, which involves allegations of conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
The agency also disclosed a separate case before the Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another defendant, Amadu Sule, bordering on alleged abuse of office, fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
According to the ICPC, both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, and the defendants have been duly served, with a date for the state court arraignment to be announced later.
