The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai before a state high court over multiple corruption-related allegations.
The case comes barely three days after the former governor buried his late mother, who passed away in Egypt.
The former governor is being charged for alleged abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage while in office.
The charges stem from investigations into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023. El-Rufai was arrested by the ICPC on February 18, 2026.
After 34 days in custody, he was arraigned on March 24 at the Federal High Court in Kaduna alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga.
During the Federal High Court proceeding, El-Rufai’s legal team led by Barrister Ubong Akpan reminded the court of their client’s petition against the judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, which is pending before the National Judicial Council.
Justice Aikawa ruled he would at least conduct the arraignment of the two defendants and hear the matter of his recusal based on a formal application.
The court later adjourned proceedings to March 31 for hearing of the bail application and any other application filed on behalf of El-Rufai and his co-defendant.
The case has attracted public attention following the ICPC’s controversial release of El-Rufai from custody on compassionate grounds to enable him attend his mother’s burial, despite a subsisting court remand order.
The former governor has since received condolence messages from top dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, among others.
On Tuesday, El-Rufai was arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court alongside one Amadu Sule for alleged offences ranging from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage.
The commission is expected to later take him to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application is scheduled to be heard.
