By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai arrived at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, under tight security for his formal arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on charges bordering on corruption and financial misconduct.
El-Rufai was brought to the court premises around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at approximately 9:34 a.m. Dressed in a light green babanriga with a matching cap, he was heavily guarded as operatives of the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS) formed a protective cordon around him.
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Security was significantly heightened around the court premises located at the old Nigerian Defence Academy, with heavily armed personnel from the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed from the early hours. Vehicular movement was restricted, forcing motorists into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo and causing traffic disruptions.
Journalists who arrived as early as 7:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings were barred from gaining access to the courtroom by DSS operatives.
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Charges Against El-Rufai The ICPC is arraigning El-Rufai alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026. The charges include conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.
In a related development, the ICPC has filed a separate charge marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26 against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court. The counts in the state case range from abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage, among others.
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Both charges were filed on March 18, 2026. The date for arraignment in the Kaduna State High Court will be communicated later by the court.
The ICPC, through its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, confirmed that El-Rufai had been duly served and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to due process and the rule of law.
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El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, granted bail on February 18, and immediately rearrested by the ICPC. He has remained in ICPC custody since then.
The arraignment follows mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) the party El-Rufai joined after leaving the APC which demanded his immediate release or formal arraignment, describing his prolonged detention without charges as unconstitutional.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) had also criticised the detention, while members of his family raised concerns over alleged rights violations.
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This is a developing story. DDNewsOnline will provide updates as proceedings unfold.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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