By Our Correspondent
National News – The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced plans to arraign former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, over alleged fraud, money laundering, and corruption-related offences.
The anti-graft agency disclosed that El-Rufai would appear alongside Joel Adoga in a case marked FHC/KD/73/2026, which includes charges such as conversion and possession of public property and alleged financial crimes.
The ICPC confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey.
According to the commission, the arraignment follows the filing of formal charges against the former governor after investigations into alleged misuse of public resources during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.
Authorities said the charges were filed on March 18, 2026, and the suspects have already been served court processes ahead of the scheduled hearing.
The commission noted that the case will be heard at the Federal High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division, where the defendants are expected to respond to allegations related to financial misconduct and unlawful possession of public assets.
In addition to the federal charges, the ICPC also revealed that a separate criminal case has been filed before the Kaduna State High Court.
The case, numbered KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, involves El-Rufai and another individual identified as Amadu Sule of the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA).
The counts in the state court include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
The date for the arraignment in the state court will be determined later by the court.
The planned arraignment comes after weeks of pressure from political stakeholders, civil society groups, and members of the former governor’s family who criticised his prolonged detention without formal charges.
Political parties such as the African Democratic Congress and advocacy organisations including the Muslim Rights Concern had earlier demanded that authorities either release El-Rufai or bring him before a competent court.
El-Rufai was initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, and granted bail two days later before being re-arrested by the ICPC.
Since then, he has remained in ICPC custody pending his court appearance as the anti-corruption agency maintains that the legal process will follow due procedure.
