ICPC arraigns El-Rufai in Kaduna court amid tight security, bail hearing fixed for March 31
From AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday arraigned amid tight security, before the Federal High Court in Kaduna by the Independent Corrupt Practices and
From AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday arraigned amid tight security, before the Federal High Court in Kaduna by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai appeared before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, where proceedings focused on a multi-count charge filed against him by the anti-graft agency.
Addressing journalists after the 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, noting that the defence raised objections to the arraignment on the grounds of a pending issue involving the presiding judge.
He, however, said the court proceeded with the arraignment and 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 explained.
The prosecution team from the ICPC declined to comment after the court session.
A day earlier, the commission had announced plans to arraign El-Rufai alongside one Joel Adoga in a suit marked FHC/KD/73/2026 before the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The charges, according to the ICPC, include alleged conversion and unlawful possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
The commission also disclosed a separate case filed before a Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another defendant, Amadu Sule (LEDA), with charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26.
It said the state charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
According to the commission, both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that the former governor had been duly served. It noted that a date for arraignment at the state court would be communicated in due course, while reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
Read Also: BREAKING: Court adjourns El-Rufai’s bail hearing to March 31
Earlier, security tightened around the Federal High Court premises as operatives from the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed ahead of the arraignment.
By about 7:00 a.m., the heavily armed personnel had taken positions at strategic points leading to the court complex located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area.
Vehicular movement was restricted, with motorists forced into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, resulting in early morning traffic congestion.
El-Rufai was initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.
He has remained in the custody of the commission since then, pending the determination of his bail application.
