Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai before a state High Court in Kaduna over allegations linked to corruption and abuse of office.
Okay News reports that the anti-corruption agency filed multiple charges against El-Rufai, accusing him of fraud, intent to commit fraud, abuse of office, and conferring undue advantage while serving as governor of Kaduna State in northwestern Nigeria between 2015 and 2023. The prosecution said the allegations followed investigations into suspected financial misconduct during his tenure.
The case comes shortly after the former governor buried his mother, who died in Egypt. His court appearance also follows earlier developments in the case, including his arrest by the commission on Tuesday, February 18, 2026. After spending 34 days in custody, he was first arraigned on Monday, March 24, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga.
During proceedings, El-Rufai’s legal team, led by Barrister Ubong Akpan, informed the court that they had filed a petition against the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, before the National Judicial Council. They argued that the matter should be considered before further steps in the case.
Justice Aikawa ruled that he would proceed with the arraignment of the defendants and later address the application concerning his possible withdrawal from the case. The judge subsequently adjourned proceedings to Tuesday, March 31, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and other motions submitted by the defence.
The case has drawn public attention, particularly after the anti-corruption commission temporarily released El-Rufai from custody on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial, despite an existing remand order issued by the court. Observers say the outcome of the bail hearing and related applications will determine the next phase of the trial.
