ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai on Nine-Count Charge, Court Orders Detention Pending Bail Ruling
ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai on Nine-Count Charge, Court Orders Detention Pending Bail Ruling
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before the Kaduna State High Court on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.
The high-profile arraignment took place before Darius Khobo of High Court 5, following an amendment to the original charge filed by the anti-graft agency.
The ICPC, through its prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, had earlier filed a joint charge against El-Rufai and a co-defendant, Amadu Sule. However, the Commission sought to separate the charges due to Sule’s absence in court, reportedly on medical grounds.
Justice Khobo granted the application for amendment, allowing the prosecution to proceed solely against El-Rufai.
The former governor was subsequently docked and faced nine amended counts, which include alleged violations of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000; the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006; the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017; and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2017.
When the charges were read, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a date for trial and ensure the defendant’s presence throughout the proceedings.
In response, the defence counsel informed the court of a pending application and requested that the defendant be granted bail on liberal terms.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Khobo adjourned the matter to Tuesday, April 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.
The court also ordered that El-Rufai be remanded in the custody of the ICPC pending the determination of his bail request.
The case is expected to draw significant public attention as proceedings continue, given El-Rufai’s political stature and the nature of the allegations.
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