The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Tuesday, arraigned a former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, before a Kaduna State High Court over multiple corruption-related allegations.
Last Friday, the commission released El-Rufai from its custody to enable him to be involved in the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma, which was announced earlier that day.
El-Rufai, who was also Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is being charged with alleged abuse of office, fraud and intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage while in office.
The charges stem from investigations into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.
ICPC arrested El-Rufai last 18 February. He was arraigned on 24 March at the Federal High Court in Kaduna alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga.
During the court proceeding on that day, El-Rufai’s legal team, led by Barrister Ubong Akpan, reminded the court of their client’s petition against the judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, which is pending before the National Judicial Council.
Justice Aikawa ruled that he would conduct the arraignment of the two defendants, and hear the matter of his recusal based on a formal application.
The court later adjourned proceedings to 31 March 2026 for the hearing of the bail application and any other application filed on behalf of El-Rufai and his co- defendant.
On Tuesday, El-Rufai was arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court, alongside one Amadu Sule, for alleged offences ranging from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage, among others.
The commission is expected to later take him to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application is expected to be heard.
