El- Rufai
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Kaduna on Tuesday over alleged corruption-related offences.
The planned arraignment follows mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which had demanded either the immediate release or formal arraignment of the former governor.
The stakeholders argued that his continued detention without formal charges amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights.
Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) criticised what it described as the prolonged detention of the former governor by security agencies.
Members of El-Rufai’s family had also called for his arraignment before a competent court, expressing concern over what they termed his extended stay in custody.
In a statement issued on Monday by the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the anti-graft agency said El-Rufai and one Joel Adoga would be arraigned in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026 at the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division.
According to the ICPC, the charges include conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026,” the statement read.
“The suit with number FHC/KD/73/2026 has charges ranging from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering.”
The commission also disclosed that a separate charge, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been filed before a Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another individual, Amadu Sule.
According to the ICPC, the charges in the state case include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
The agency noted that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that the date for the arraignment at the state High Court would be communicated by the court.
ICPC further stated that El-Rufai had been duly served and reaffirmed its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
The former governor was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after honouring its invitation on February 16. Although he was granted bail two days later, he was subsequently taken into custody by the ICPC and has remained in its detention since then amid repeated calls for his arraignment.
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