The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to transfer former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to Kaduna for prosecution on fresh corruption charges, SaharaReporters has exclusively gathered.
The decision to move the embattled former governor comes as investigations into his eight-year administration (2015–2023) have uncovered new evidence of financial malfeasance, according to senior security sources familiar with the matter.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, a senior security official with the commission confirmed the plan on Tuesday, stating that arrangements are being finalised to relocate El-Rufai from ICPC custody in Abuja to Kaduna.
“El-Rufai is to be transferred to Kaduna for a fresh corruption trial,” the source disclosed, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case.
The transfer is expected to occur within days, with the former governor to face charges before a Kaduna State High Court. The specific charges remain sealed, but sources indicate they relate to the alleged mismanagement of state funds during his tenure as governor.
Background of Investigations
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody following investigations triggered by multiple petitions and a comprehensive legislative probe conducted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
The Assembly, under Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Liman, had conducted an extensive investigation into El-Rufai’s administration and reaffirmed its findings in early 2026. The legislative body reported uncovering “serious irregularities” in the handling of state finances and formally indicted El-Rufai for financial mismanagement and misappropriation of funds.
“The Kaduna State House of Assembly concluded its legislative probe into the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and forwarded its findings to appropriate authorities in line with constitutional provisions,” Speaker Liman had stated.
The N423 Billion Question
Central to the case against El-Rufai are allegations by his successor, Governor Uba Sani, that the former governor left the state with unsustainable debts and that approximately N423 billion could not be adequately accounted for during El-Rufai’s administration.
Governor Sani has repeatedly maintained that he inherited a financially crippled state, making governance and the fulfillment of campaign promises extremely difficult. These accusations have formed a significant part of the petition that prompted federal investigators to delve deeper into El-Rufai’s financial stewardship of Kaduna State.
While former officials who served under El-Rufai have dismissed the allegations as a “politically motivated smear campaign,” the weight of documentary evidence presented by the Kaduna State Government has reportedly strengthened the case for prosecution.
Political Undertones
The timing of the transfer and fresh charges adds another layer of complexity to what many observers describe as a politically charged legal battle. El-Rufai, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been linked to potential presidential ambitions in 2027.
Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported that El-Rufai had filed a 30-page criminal complaint before a Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that ICPC officials attempted to coerce him into abandoning his political aspirations as a condition for his release from detention.
According to the court documents, the former governor claimed that operatives of the anti-corruption agency told him bluntly that his freedom depended on his willingness to quit political activities. The allegation, detailed in Paragraph 12 of the filing, states that while in detention, ICPC officers made it clear that disengaging from politics was the price for his release.
The claim now forms the crux of Count Six in the suit, where El-Rufai accuses the officials of wrongful confinement with intent to compel, an offence punishable under Sections 264 and 267 of the Penal Code.
Police Position
The Nigeria Police Force has, however, urged the court to dismiss El-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit, arguing that the search of his Abuja residence was conducted under a valid warrant and in line with statutory powers.
In a counter-affidavit filed before the court, the Inspector General of Police defended the operation, accusing El-Rufai of attempting to use the suit as a shield to frustrate investigation and possible prosecution.
Civil Society Reactions
Civil society groups have maintained pressure on authorities to ensure transparency and accountability in the probe. Earlier protests at the Kaduna State Assembly complex underscored public concern over alleged corruption and human rights violations during El-Rufai’s tenure.
Anti-corruption advocates have welcomed the decision to transfer El-Rufai for trial, describing it as a critical test of Nigeria’s ability to hold high-profile political figures accountable.
What Next
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned El-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC until March 25, 2026. The former governor is seeking N1 billion in damages and has asked the court to declare the search of his residence unlawful, restrain authorities from using seized evidence, and order the immediate return of all items taken.
Meanwhile, security sources indicate that El-Rufai’s transfer to Kaduna will proceed regardless of the ongoing legal proceedings in Abuja, as the fresh charges are being filed separately and fall under the jurisdiction of the Kaduna State Judiciary.
When the case eventually proceeds to trial, it is expected to attract significant public attention, given El-Rufai’s political stature and the substantial sums allegedly involved. For now, the former governor remains in ICPC custody, awaiting his fate as the wheels of justice slowly turn.
Details of the specific charges and the exact timeline for the transfer are expected to be made public in the coming days.
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