ICPC arraigns El-Rufai on nine count charge

…as court orders detention pending bail ruling

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor, before the Kaduna State High Court on a nine count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.

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El-Rufai was brought before Darius Khobo, Justice at Court 5 on Monday, following an amendment to the original charge filed by the anti-corruption agency.

Osuobeni Akponimisingha, ICPC’s prosecution counsel, informed the court that the charges had been revised to separate El-Rufai’s case from that of his co-defendant, Amadu Sule.

The decision to amend the charge, the prosecution said, became necessary due to Sule’s continued absence from court, reportedly on medical grounds.

Khobo granted the application for amendment, paving the way for El-Rufai’s arraignment to proceed independently.

The former governor was subsequently docked and the nine amended charges were read to him.

The charges allege violations under multiple laws, including the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, the Kaduna State Penal Code 2017, and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law 2017.

Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a date for trial and to make necessary orders to ensure the defendant’s attendance throughout the proceedings.

In response, the defence counsel notified the court of a pending application and requested that El-Rufai be granted bail on liberal terms.

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After hearing both parties, Khobo adjourned the matter to April 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.

The court also ordered that the former governor be remanded in ICPC custody pending the determination of his bail request.