The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will today Tuesday arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before a Federal High Court in Kaduna over allegations of corruption, money laundering, and illegal possession of public property.
The former governor, who has been in the custody of the anti-graft agency for over five weeks, will be brought to court alongside one Joel Adoga to face charges in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026 filed before the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, confirmed that the commission had filed multiple charges against El-Rufai, ranging from conversion of public property to 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 (m) and one Joel Adoga (m) at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, the 24th March 2026,” Odey said.
“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 one Amadu Sule (LEDA). The state case includes counts of abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
“Similarly, another charge, number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule (LEDA), has also been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division,” Odey stated.
“The charges in the State High Court case range from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage, among others. Both charges were filed by the ICPC on the 18th of March, 2026.”
The ICPC said El-Rufai had been duly served with the charges and reaffirmed its commitment to due process and the rule of law. The date for arraignment in the state High Court will be communicated at the appropriate time as determined by the court.
El-Rufai’s journey to the dock has been long and fraught with twists. He was first detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16 after honouring an invitation from the anti-graft agency.
He was granted administrative bail on February 18 but was immediately taken into custody by the ICPC, where he has remained ever since.
His prolonged detention without formal charges had drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) had called for his immediate release or arraignment, arguing that keeping the former governor in custody without trial violated his constitutional rights. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) also weighed in, condemning the extended detention by security agencies.
Even members of El-Rufai’s own family had joined the chorus, expressing concern over what they described as his prolonged detention and demanding that he be taken to a competent court without further delay.
The ICPC’s decision to finally arraign the former governor comes after weeks of mounting pressure from civil society groups, political stakeholders, and human rights advocates who argued that indefinite detention without trial undermines the very principles of justice the anti-graft agencies are meant to uphold.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State for two terms from 2015 to 2023, has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics. His tenure was marked by ambitious infrastructure projects, controversial policies, and frequent clashes with labour unions and civil society groups over his administration’s approach to governance.
The allegations now before the court relate to his time in office. While the ICPC has not released full details of the charges, sources familiar with the case indicate that they centre on the alleged mismanagement of public assets and funds during his eight-year governorship.
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