ICPC arraigns former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai on nine charges of fraud and money laundering as court orders detention pending bail ruling
El-Rufai Faces Court Over Fraud, Money Laundering Charges as Judge Orders ICPC Custody
The trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, took a dramatic turn on Monday as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) formally arraigned him before the Kaduna State High Court.
The proceedings, held before Honourable Justice Darius Khobo at Court 5, saw El-Rufai docked on a nine-count amended charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.
The arraignment followed a key legal development, as the ICPC prosecution team, led by Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, successfully amended the initial charge.
The original joint charge involving El-Rufai and co-defendant Amadu Sule was split after Sule failed to appear in court.
According to a statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the absence of the second defendant was attributed to a medical condition.
With no objection, the court granted the prosecution’s application, allowing the trial of El-Rufai to proceed independently.
Upon the reading of the nine amended charges—filed under multiple laws including the Corrupt Practices Act 2000 and the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006—El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The prosecution thereafter urged the court to fix a trial date and ensure the defendant’s presence throughout proceedings.
In response, defence counsel informed the court of a pending application and requested bail on liberal terms for the former governor.
After hearing both sides, Justice Khobo adjourned the matter for ruling on the bail application to Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
Pending the bail decision, the court ruled that El-Rufai be remanded in the custody of the ICPC.
The case marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, drawing national attention as legal proceedings against the high-profile former governor begin in earnest.
Credit: J. Okor Odey, Head, Media & Public Communications, ICPC.
