Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Nasir El-Rufai before a state high court in Kaduna State over multiple corruption-related allegations.
The arraignment came just three days after El-Rufai buried his late mother in Egypt. He faces charges including alleged abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
El-Rufai was initially arrested by the ICPC on February 18, 2026, and spent 34 days in custody before being arraigned on March 24, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna alongside co-defendant Joel Adoga.
During proceedings, El-Rufai’s legal team, led by Barrister Ubong Akpan, reminded the court of a pending petition against Justice Rilwan Aikawa before the National Judicial Council. Justice Aikawa confirmed he would conduct the arraignment and consider the recusal matter formally. Proceedings were adjourned to March 31, 2026, for the hearing of bail applications and any other applications filed on behalf of El-Rufai and co-defendant Amadu Sule.
The case has drawn public attention following the ICPC’s controversial release of El-Rufai on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial, despite a subsisting remand order.
Condolence messages poured in from top dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and APC National Chairman, along with more than ten governors, including Uba Sani.
Key political figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties, such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former ministers including [“people”,”Abubakar Malami”,”former AGF”], [“people”,”Isa Pantami”,”former Minister of Communications”], entity[“people”,”Rotimi Amaechi”,”former Minister of Transportation”], and Rauf Aregbesola, also extended condolences.
The ICPC is expected to later take El-Rufai to the Federal High Court in Kaduna for the hearing of his bail application.
