The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday commenced the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and one Joel Adoga before the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged money laundering and other corruption-related offences.
The Arraignment began shortly after El-Rufai arrived at the court premises amid heavy security.
Security was tightened across the Kaduna State capital, particularly around the court premises, ahead of the proceedings. Armed personnel were deployed at strategic points to maintain order as supporters and observers gathered.
He is expected to take his plea on charges bordering on alleged corruption and abuse of office levied against him by the ICPC.
The 10-count charge, marked FHC/KD/73/2026, was filed on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Kaduna Judicial Division.
In the Charges, the former governor, who led the state between 2015 and 2023, was accused of financial misconduct during his tenure.
Heavy Security presence outside the Kaduna Federal High Court
EL-RUFAI’S MANEY LAUNDERING CHARGE: Counts One and Two Charge
According to the charge sheet dated March 18, 2026, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) alleged that Nasir El-Rufai unlawfully received N289.8 million as severance allowance on two separate occasions in September 2020 and January 2023, bringing the total to about N579 million—far above the legally approved sum of about N20 million.
The commission further stated that the former governor ought to have known that the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts, including corruption, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Part of the charge reads:
“That you, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, sometime in September 2020 or thereabout, in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while serving as the elected Executive Governor of Kaduna State, directly took possession of the sum of N289,826,998.12 as severance allowance, exceeding your legitimate entitlement of N20,013,245.00, which represents 300 per cent of your annual basic salary, and which you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, sometime in January 2023 or thereabout, in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while serving as the elected Executive Governor of Kaduna State, directly took possession of the sum of N289,826,998.12 as severance allowance, exceeding your legitimate entitlement of N20,013,245.00, which represents 300 per cent of your annual basic salary…,” count one and two reads in part.
While court proceedings commenced, journalists were, however, denied access to the courtroom.
El- Rufai Faces Trial on Two Separate Cases in Kaduna
El-Rufai is being tried on two Separate cases in Kaduna.
In a statement on Monday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said El-Rufai and one Joel Adoga would be arraigned in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026 at the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division.
They include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
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In a separate case, the commission also filed charges against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before the Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division.
The case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, includes allegations of abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
The ICPC said both cases were instituted on March 18, 2026, as part of its efforts to strengthen accountability and tackle corruption.
While the Federal High Court arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, a date for the hearing at the State High Court is yet to be fixed.
The commission added that the former governor has been duly served with the charges.
BACKGROUND: Call For El-Rufai’s Arraignment Mounts Pressure on ICPC
Pinnacle Daily reports that El-Rufai’s arraignment follows mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress and Atiku Abubakar, the Former vice president of Nigeria, who demanded the former governor’s immediate release or arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as a violation of constitutional rights.
Members of the former governor’s family also called for his arraignment before a competent court, expressing concern over what they described as his prolonged detention.
The arrest of Nasir El-Rufai followed an earlier invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he reportedly honoured the summons on February 16 over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted him over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and recommended that anti-corruption agencies investigate the matter.
El-Rufai was initially granted bail after spending two nights in EFCC custody, but was later re-arrested by security operatives and has since been under the custody of the ICPC.
A Federal High Court in Abuja subsequently refused to consider his bail application, ruling that it was premature pending his formal arraignment.
On March 5, 2026, an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari granted the ICPC a 14-day extension to continue detaining El-Rufai following the expiration of the first order.
This extension followed an initial 14-day remand on February 19th, which allows for further investigation into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
